Isbjørnpappaen

As human beings, we all have a deep, inherent desire to belong. Yet not everyone succeeds in being part of the community. Why can close relationships be so painful, when creating them is one of the most important things we do? 

"I love you, Dad," I say, and he laughs. "I don't understand that!" he replies."Just for who you are!""Katja, I honestly believe that I have never understood that anyone has loved me. My whole life." 

In this play, Lindeberg tackles his own loneliness in the face of his father. A father who has worked as a theater worker and theater researcher all his life, who has written about and researched interaction in the theater. But he - who is passionate about meeting people from the stage - has no close friends of his own. 

The polar bear is one of the world's most dangerous, uncompromising and vulnerable animals. It lives all alone in the icy wasteland. The male polar bear may eat his children. So what do you do when you have a dad who's like a polar bear? And how do you avoid following in his footsteps when you recognize yourself in him as an adult? Can we live alone, or do we only come into being with others?

In this beautiful and powerful performance, Lindeberg uses polar bear life as an image of her own loneliness, her father's life and her own path as a polar bear daughter. She examines loneliness in a desolate landscape, where the closest is the most demanding. The performance is a declaration of love for polar bear dads, but also a confrontation with one of mankind's greatest fears: to be isolated and deprived of the opportunity to love and belong. 

"Is it taboo to talk about loneliness? Can saying you're lonely be like admitting that you're unpopular and have failed with close relationships? How do you admit to yourself and others that you feel lonely? Yes, because in the face of loneliness, many people can shy away. They're afraid it's contagious."

Co-producer: Teaterhuset Avant GardenCollaboration partner: Turnéteatret i Trøndelag

Supported by: Dramatikkens hus, Fritt ord, Fond for lyd og bilde, Arts Council Norway, Fond for utøvende kunstnere, Spenn.no, Fond for frilansere, Seanse, Trøndelag fylke og Trondheim kommune

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