CARMEN

Yesterday was premiere of Georges Bizet's Carmen at Kilden Performing Arts Centre in Kristiansand, Norway.  (And therefore the the slightly dark and religious header of the blog at this moment..).

From start of act 3.

It has been a pure pleasure to be part of this production, very much because of stage director Lisa Kent: She has been so calm, relaxed and reassuring throughout the whole process, and at the same time surprisingly efficient - sometimes we were slightly surprised by how much we managed to cover within a couple of days, when everything had seemed so non-hectic.

It has been an absolutely amazing cast to work with, and I really want to mention them all: Jeanette Goldstein (Carmen), Thomas Ruud (Don Jose), Magne Fremmerlid (Escamillo), Kjerstin Løvdahl (Michaela), Nati Uifalean (Zuniga), Hanna Husahr (Frasquita), Maija Skille (Mercedes), Kristian Krokslett (Remendado) and Jørgen Backer (Morales).  I have never experienced to work with a bad cast, but this might have been the best I have ever worked with. For me it was extra special to celebrate my 40th birthday on the first rehearsal day here in Kristiansand. If to celebrate away from wife and dogs, I could not imagine a better place and a better company - it really feels like a second family :)

More pictures from the production can be found HERE: