TankeSUS - Faust for Kids
Faust for kids
Venue: Black Box Theater
Stage: Little Stage
Duration: 50 min
From 10 years
Performers: Maria Dommersnes Ramvi, Tora Nilsen and Anders Høgli
Director: Hildur Kristinsdottir
Stage design: Petter Alstad and Bård Vaag Stangnes
Producer: Mona Larsen
Blood, leaves, masks and a hamburger are just some of the things you'll find in the performance "Faust for Kids", which is intended for both children and adults. I admit that I was personally quite pessimistic about this show. The title didn't tell me much and I thought the show would be too abstract for my taste.
The show starts off rather gruesomely, with a man in a creepy mask "devouring" book after book into him, his whole body shaking and moving strangely. A voice explains that this is the man Faust, who has become obsessed with knowing the answers to everything he wonders about, but he has discovered that for every new thing he learns, there is another thing he doesn't know. This drives him so crazy that he almost takes his own life. In desperation, he calls on the devil, who is willing to give him everything he wants in life in exchange for his soul after death.
The performance is entertaining from the first second and draws us right into the story. It's funny, captivating and surprising, with great characters and scenery. Scenes where the actors throw apples, bite tomatoes, vomit blood and shower with clothes make it both unique and special. It's a good concept and has a clear and good story. I was really pleasantly surprised. The performance lasts for a total of 50 minutes, and was over before we knew it. The only thing that could have been better was a clearer ending. The performance wasn't too long at all, and we wanted to see more and find out how Faust would end.
There were three characters in the play, the main character Faust, the devil, and the girl next door Gredchen. Everyone in SUS agreed that the devil was an incredibly good character and that she played it almost perfectly. She was dressed in white from head to toe, with the exception of her blood-red nails, red lips and red glittering devil horns. All her lines were performed naturally. The other two characters were also played very well and with good execution. We were all satisfied when we left the auditorium.
The target group is set for children aged 10 and up. We think this is a good fit. It would probably have been too violent for smaller children. Extra plus!
In conclusion, this was an entertaining and good performance, with little negative to mention. We are very satisfied!