Rogaland Theatre. Alexander - King of contrasts!

In Norwegian. 

Kielland is one of the big four in the history of literature. That's why we've teamed up with Haugesund Theatre to create a cultural Rogfast that both northern and southern counties can enjoy! 

On Sunday 6 May 1928, there was a festive atmosphere in the square in Stavanger. Thousands of expectant people filled the square and the side streets, and there stood the Kielland statue wrapped in the Norwegian flag, ready to be unveiled. After almost 100 years on the pedestal, we think he's stood long enough looking out over Vågen. It's time to dust off Kielland, bring him back to life and get to know the man, the myth and the legend better. For who was this bon vivant and flaneur? The man who was born into one of Stavanger's most distinguished families, while at the same time standing on the side of the weak? He was related to the whole city and shouted freedom, equality and brotherhood, but still gorged himself to death! 

To answer these and many other questions, we challenged city kid and scriptwriter Rolf Kristian Larsen. He took a deep dive into the many letters that Alexander wrote, to get closer to the core of Kielland. The letters are intimate confidences, dagger thrusts, friendly words or a handshake and expressions of friendship, as he himself considered them to be. 

With new knowledge and a creative pen, Larsen has created a fresh and innovative play, which will be directed with a steady hand by Haugesund's own theatre director Morten Joachim. Of course, Espen Hana was the obvious choice to portray Kielland! Together with the rest of the ensemble, they will drag Alexander out of oblivion, play him into the present and hopefully make him known to new generations. Look forward to a performance that encompasses as much as Kielland himself. With a slant, humour and a completely new approach to the man with the top hat, we pay tribute to Kielland by making him relevant again!