National Theatre of Iceland
Þjóðleikhúsið (National Theatre) Location within Iceland | |
Address |
Hverfisgata 19 Reykjavík Iceland |
---|---|
Coordinates | 64°08′49″N 21°55′48″W / 64.147048°N 21.92988°W |
Type | National theatre |
Capacity |
Stóra sviðið (The Main Stage), 500 seats |
Construction | |
Opened | 1950 |
Architect | Guðjón Samúelsson |
Website | |
leikhusid.is |
The National Theatre of Iceland (Icelandic: Þjóðleikhúsið, pronounced [ˈθjou̯ːðlɛi̯kˌhuːsɪð]) in Reykjavík, is the national theatre of Iceland. The theater, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, was formally opened on April 20, 1950. Since 2015, the artistic director of The National Theatre is Ari Matthíasson.
Productions
The NTI performs around thirty productions each season (new productions, re-premieres and guest performances), comprising a varied repertoire of new Icelandic works, new foreign works, Icelandic and foreign classics, musicals, dance pieces and children’s productions. The theatre produces around 10 new productions each year, and also collaborates with independent theatre and dance groups.
The theatre serves an important role in the development of new Icelandic plays, and aims to develop youngsters’ appreciation of the theatre through productions especially intended for children and youth.
Touring Productions
The NTI often tours its productions around Iceland and in recent years many productions have also toured abroad, including:
- 'Kitchen by Measure' at the Royal Danish Theatre (2006)
- 'Gerpla' at Bergen International Festival (2010)
- 'Shimmer the Silver Fish' at international children festivals in Sweden and Russia (2010-2011)
- 'The Sea Museum' at the Centre Dramatique National d’Orléans and the Théâtre de Gennevilliers in France (2009-2010)
- 'Peer Gynt' at the Ibsen Festival in Oslo (2006), Barbican Centre in London (2007)
- 'Bozar' in Brussels (2008)
- 'The Green House' in the Faroe Islands (2006)
Artistic Directors of The National Theatre
1949-1972 | Guðlaugur Rósinkranz |
1972-1983 | Sveinn Einarsson |
1983-1991 | Gísli Alfreðsson |
1991-2004 | Stefán Baldursson |
2005-2014 | Tinna Gunnlaugsdóttir |
2015- | Ari Matthíasson |