Vodka, vann og glasnost - en foxtrot for tre (Vodka, water and glasnost - a foxtrot for three)
Produced by Samovarteateret (2013)
Supported by BarentsKult, Finnmark Fylkeskommune, Sør-Varanger Kommune, Sparebank 1 Nord-Norge og Samovarteateret
The story of three people's lives are told - three faiths, three parallel narratives. We meet Gunnar, Vera and Viktor. They have all experienced a time before, during and after World War II. The stories are accompanied by music from Sergey Gromov, playing the accordion and musical saw. The stories are told through text, dance and newly composed music.
"Mom, darn my socks, I'm going to Moscow!" "It wasn't communism I was in love with. For me, it was a Russian nurse, Natalya. But instead of going to Moscow, I went to Kiruna with Regine"
"I was a partisan during the war" "War ships were bombed and sank because of me, Nestor and the other guys" "We freed Norway. I couldn't believe my own ears when I heard that they closed the border. Is Norway closing the border to us? To me?"
"I do not shoot people, I said. I was caught by the Germans because I did not shoot. Afterwards, I was punished by the Russians because I did not shoot" "Prisoner of war in Kirkenes, penal servitute in Siberia"
Director Bente S. Andersen has created a down-to-earth performance that moves the audience. "Vodka, vann og glasnost" has been shown in Norway, Sweden, Russia, on festivals, to schools and to adults. The play gives room for afterthought and reflection. In the words of philosopher Søren Kierkegaard:
"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards"
Director and dramaturgy: Bente S. Andersen (Norway)
Dramatical text: Ingeborg Arvola (Norway)
Choreographer: Patrik Häggström (Sweden)
Composition and music: Jurgita Miezelyte (Lithuania)
Lighting design: Jan Harald Jensen (Norway)
Actors on stage: Turid Skoglund (Norway), Nikolay Shchetnev (Norway/Russia), Jan Egil Engnes (Norway)
Musician on stage: Sergey Gromov (Russia)
Set designer: Marie Steen Løwendahl (Norway)
Costumes: Jenny Hilmo Teig (Norway)
Producer: Audhild Andersen (Norway)
Video and photo: Sergey Zhigaltsov (Russia)
Technician: Roman Khoroshilov (Russia)
Poster: Anna Grønvik Randal (Norway)
PR and marketing: Theresa Haabeth Holand and Sofie Våga Mortensen (Norway)