Ivory ENG

Ivory

Franz Schubert composed “Impromptu” in 1827 and this performance is a tribute to the work. Odd Johan draws on and fabulates movements and dances from his studies in the Ivory Coast in 1988. He choreographs and dances to Op. 142 and Op. 90 – and at the piano there is concert pianist Ole Christian Haagenrud.

Fritzøe sees the work in light of Schubert’s life during the Habsburger dynasty as it colonized innumerable cultures – Schubert composed on piano keys made of elephant tusks and the violence seems relentless – the colonization never ending.

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Frans Schubert Impromptu Op. 142 and Op. 90
Dancer: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Musician: Ole Christian Haagenrud
Supported by Kulturdirektoratet and Dans i Trønelag.

Photo: Cathrine Wessel

Ivory ENG2026-04-09T13:38:55+00:00

Midsummer’s Eve ENG

St. John’s night in the fields

The artist Einar Øfsti painted Midsummer´s Eve in 1901 and as stagedecor it inspires to play with myths and fairytales from the region of Trøndelag in Norway. Rich in history and arts from the Middle Age – here the Christians were hindered by pagans of the north. With his violin, the folk musician Gjermund Larsen, plays live on stage and the four dancers tumbles and dances around this nocturnal celebration of midsummer magic.

Choreografy: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Scenography: Reproduction of painting by Einar Øfsti
Music: Gjermund Larsen
Studiomusicians: Tor Haugerud and Andreas Utnem
Dancers: Alexander Aarø, Elisabeth C. Holth, Guro Gulstad and Severin Romer Iversen
Costumes: Svein Ove Kirkhorn
Production: Dans i Trøndelag
Co-producers: Turnéteateret i Trøndelag, Riksscenen, Ål Kulturhus, Hilmarfestivalen

Premiere 10th November 2018, Dampsaga, Steinkjer
You can watch the performance here: https://vimeo.com/338641922

Photo: Svein Ove Kirkhorn

Midsummer’s Eve ENG2025-09-18T12:40:57+00:00

Adventura Botanica ENG

Adventura Botanica

Choreography/dancer: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Music: SPUNK – Maja Ratkje, Hild Tafjord, Kristin Andersen & Lene Grenager
Costumes: Svein Ove Kirkhorn
Co-production: NOTAM – Norsk senter for teknologi i musikk og kunst, Dansens Hus, Oslo, Ultima 2013

Premiere 12th September 2013, Dansens Hus, Oslo

Inspired by Charles Darwin’s 150th anniversary and his research into the coevolution of plants and insects the show comprises a series of studies in dance accompanied by choreographed lighting and sound. The stage design’s multiple white surfaces create a space for open-ended interpretations by an adult male dancing around a totem. The performance was on tour in 2015 as part of the Concerts Norway’s nationwide program. Batteries power the soundscapes and lighting and the show is portable – it can be performed outdoors.

The soundtrack is released by Rune grammofon

You can watch the performance here Adventura botanica
For more on the background to the show, see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8GdkMBluis

LATEST NEWS
Read Heidi Hart’s essay on Adventura Botanica:
Dance as a Medium for Ecological Care

Adventura Botanica ENG2026-04-09T14:06:54+00:00

Brother ENG

Brother

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Music: Igor Stravinsky
Dancers: Ouasim Ahssain, Rohil Arif, Kadi Cham, Marion Lund Fransrud, Inger-Helene Jeremiassen, Mira Kristiansen, Vijai Kurunathan, Ida Aisha Macauley, Suad Mahdi, Hermon Selemon, Ane Bækken Soleim, Ousam Souleymane & Azzedin Souleymane.

Premiere 29 November 2012, Norwegian National Opera and Ballet.

Stravinsky’s «Rite of Spring» with thirteen hip hop artist from the lighthouse of dance, The Planet, in an Oslo suburb – Grorud. Oslo City Council asked Odd Johan Fritzøe and Karl Hansen to join forces, and the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet welcomed the show as a feature in its diversity program. Adolescents, all equipped with a shield for protection and to form a collective pattern face the audience seated on all four sides of the stage. There is no sacrifice, but occasionally an individual leaves the group, examines it from the outside and ponders.

Photo: Odd Geir Sæter
Available on DVD

Brother ENG2019-10-17T10:53:51+00:00

Snow ENG

Snow

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Music: Bjarne Kvinnsland
Costumes: Kathrine Tolo
Animations: Espen Tversland
Lighting: Yngve Sandboe
Dancers: Pernille Bønkan, Thomas Gundersen, Hanna Mjåvatn, Torunn Robstad, Cecilie L. Steen, Chenno Tim, Åshild Thinn and young dancers from Kirsti Skullerud’s ballet school.
Musicians: Markus Hernes & Eirik Raude
Producer: Odd Johan Fritzøe

Premiere 26 February 2009, Bærum Kulturhus

Inspired by fairy tales and myths from snowy landscapes. Glaciers, expeditions, frozen hearts and snowstorms in an all-white setting. The beautiful stage design and graphic animations create movement in light, color, and shadow together with the dancers, big and small. Odd Johan Fritzøe was awarded the 2009 Critics’ Prize for this ballet.

You can watch the performance here:
https://vimeo.com/94249689
Photo: Nicky Twang

Snow ENG2019-10-27T07:35:10+00:00

Balls ENG

Balls

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Hild Tafjord
Scenography and costumes: Torhild Berg
Lighting: Stig Framnes
Dancers: Trond André Hansen, Thomas Lægreid Gundersen, Mikkel Are Olsen & Chenno Tim
Producer: CODA International Dance Festival 2007, Oslo

Premiere 27th September 2007 as part of the CODA 2007 Festival, Trikkehallen, Oslo.

Four large balls each with an inbuilt audio system create a fluid landscape of sounds and shapes. Two break dancers meet two contemporary dancers in a chamber play about difficult lightness and pleasant heaviness. The ballet was originally conceived as a show for secondary schools. Shown ten times during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 8–18 August 2008.

You can watch the performance here: https://vimeo.com/124295523
Photo: Christian Elgvin

Balls ENG2019-10-27T07:36:21+00:00

Builders ENG

Residents – A Construction Kit

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: fe-mail – Maja Ratkje & Hild Tafjord
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Script: Cecilie Løveid
Costumes: Svein Ove Kirkhorn
Dancers: Odd Johan Fritzøe & Thomas Gundersen

Premiere 11 October 2002, Black Box Theater, part of the ULTIMA Festival

Playfulness and rhythm are key elements of this successful show which has been performed 258 times at cultural centers, festivals, and schools. Eight sculptures with inbuilt sound reproduction equipment give the two dancers an opportunity to build in sound, form, and movement. Choreographed for children and an audience seated on all four sides.

You can watch the performance here:
https://vimeo.com/124296240
See clips from the tour here: https://vimeo.com/141773718
Photo: Svein Ove Kirkhorn

Builders ENG2026-01-27T13:37:13+00:00

Adventura Anatomica ENG

Adventura Anatomica

Choreography/dance: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music/vocals: Maja Ratjke
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Lighting: Petter Steen

Premiere 17 November 2005, Black Box Theater, Oslo

Fairy tales tell us something about human nature, about our possibilities and impossibilities, and the forces residing within us. A young girl and a wolf, female and male, human versus animal. Artists spin a story in movement, bodies, sound, and form in this second version of the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood.

Music released on Bootrop-Boy: http://www.discogs.com/Maja-Ratkje-Adventura-Anatomica/release/1000607
See clips from the show here:
http://vimeo.com/139578347
Photo: Erik Berg

Adventura Anatomica ENG2019-10-27T07:40:51+00:00

Jäinen kukinta ENG

Jäinen Kukinta

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: John Corrigliano
Costumes: Erika Turunen
Lighting: Juha Westman
Dancers: Evaldas Bielinis, Aina Ettala, Maki Kirjonen, Jaakko Eerola, Adam Kazal, Aki Pakarinen, Samuli Poutanen & Salla Suominen
Producers: Finnish National Ballet & Dinna Bjørn

Premiere 19 May 2006, Helsinki Opera, Finland

Jäinen kukinta was commissioned by Dinna Bjørn, director of the Finnish National Ballet, as part of the NOKO (Nordic choreography) project. It’s a lyrical portrayal and story about our frozen Nordic landscape and intense rejuvenation.

You can watch the performance here:
https://vimeo.com/129541572
Photo: Sakaria Viika

Jäinen kukinta ENG2019-10-27T07:41:18+00:00

Zooom ENG

Zooom

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Bjarne Kvinnsland
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Animation: Ivar Kjellmo
Dancers: André Austvoll, Kenneth Flak, Thomas Gundersen, Camilla Myhre & Irene Rothmund Velten

Premiere 13th September 2000, Black Box Theater, Oslo
Nationwide tour with The National touring theater, 2001

Inspired by movement in the world of movies. Five dancers move together with animated clips and scenography focused on bodies and the roles they play. Read Inger-Margrethe Lunde’s review of the show.

You can watch the performance on tour here: http://vimeo.com/124295880
Photo: Christian Elgvin

Zooom ENG2019-10-27T07:42:03+00:00

Star ENG

Star.*

– A SOUND INSTALLATION
FOR TWO DANCERS

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Bjarne Kvinnsland
Dancers: Torkel Bråthen, Odd Johan Fritzøe, Thomas Gundersen, Cecilie L. Steen, Victoria Huseby, Ole Aleksander Hansen & Kine Kvarme

Premiere 22 September 1998, Våler secondary school, Hedmark

Eight cassette players create the setting for two dancers moving rapidly and partially synchronously within the soundscape. Performing Arts Award 2000 from Performing Arts Hub Norway for artistic courage. The piece has been performed 256 times in Norway and at festivals abroad.

Watch an interview with Odd Johan Fritzøe and clips from the show during the 2013 CODA Festival : https://vimeo.com/80027560
Photo: Stein Anders Larsen

Star ENG2019-10-27T07:42:25+00:00

Little Red Riding Hood ENG

Little Red Riding Hood

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Pierre Boulez mix
Dancer: Cecilie Lindeman Steen
Scenography: Karl Hansen

Premiere 13 December 1997, Black Box Theater, Oslo

Specially commissioned for a solo performance by Cecilie Lindeman Steen. As the first part of a three-part show, «An ordinary age of a certain size» – this ballet reinterprets the fairy tale to Pierre Boulez’s piano work «Notations». She is a well-behaved girl, dances and runs and leaps into the woods. Collides with the door of the house – bang!

See clips from the show here: http://vimeo.com/139578347
Photo: Erik Berg

Little Red Riding Hood ENG2019-10-27T07:46:10+00:00

Bla-ki bla-da ENG

Bla-ki bla-da – Linguistic confusion

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Music: Jonas Digerud
Dancers: Terje Tjøme Mossige, Camilla Myhre, Henriette Slorer, & Marit Schade Ødegaard

Premiere 3 February 1996, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, Bærum

Four dancers with cassette players form a mobile sound installation. Inspired by linguistic intermingling and popular culture, the art center’s exhibitions and architecture provide the backdrop to the choreography. Commissioned by Per Hovdenak, director of the Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Read Inger-Margrethe Lunde’s review.

Photo: Jacky Penot

Bla-ki bla-da ENG2019-10-17T10:56:15+00:00

There’s a negro in the yard ENG

There’s a negro in the yard – mother dear

Choreography: Odd Johan Fritzøe
Scenography: Karl Hansen
Costumes: Ingvild Hovin
Music mix: Kjell Samkopf
Dancers: Vidar Hansen, Anna Hegdahl, Kari Liland, Siri Jøntvedt, Reidar Sjøseth & Shirin Zorriassateiny
Producers: The National touring theater, Year of the Dance 1993

Premiere 8 September 1993, Hammerfest cinema

The title alludes to the dismantling and reconstruction of Norwegian folk culture in new patterns and movements. The National touring theater celebrated the Year of the Dance with a nationwide tour of three new Norwegian choreographers who’d created pieces on the idea of identity and belonging. Billowing fir trees, elks, and camels become hieroglyphic doodles and funny postcards accompanied by Norwegian folk tunes and lullabies from Zaire. Read Inger-Margrethe Lunde’s review.

The piece and the title have been created in a historical context

You can watch the performance here:
http://vimeo.com/124047189
Photo: Erik Berg

There’s a negro in the yard ENG2023-02-02T10:58:26+00:00
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