Riksteatret – Apestjernen
Description:
Imagine suddenly having a gorilla as a mother!
Nine-year-old Jonna has always dreamed of having a mother. One day, an old, dirty Volvo pulls up in front of the orphanage where she lives – and a gorilla gets out of the car. She wants to adopt Jonna, but Jonna is a little unsure. What is it really like to have a big, disheveled and wild gorilla for a mother? And what if it's true what they say – that gorillas eat small children?!
Bring the kids and do something fun together when the National Theatre visits the cultural centre with the theatre version of Frida Nilsson's surprising, funny and moving children's book - a warm story about family happiness that occurs when you least expect it. No two families are the same.
In the lead role of Jonna, you will meet Ina Svenningdal (from NRK's "Linus i svingen" and "Skam") in a playful and colorful performance with funny characters and songs that you can easily get into your head.
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Said about the book:
"In Class with Astrid Lindgren... a warm fairy tale about generous and unusual parental love."
The Norwegian newspaper
"A great guiding star... timeless qualities that are equally relevant in our time."
Children's book criticism.no
"Like Astrid Lindgren, Frida Nilsson is faithful to the child's gaze"
NRK
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PS! If a gorilla in an ugly car should appear in your life: Take the chance! Things are not always as they seem.
Suitable for children from 5 years old.
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On stage
Ina Svenningdal, Marte Stolp, Karianna Sommerro, Mailin Moon Lee Øgrim, John Hagen, Nils Oortwijn and Herman Hilde Pedersen
Team
Playwright: Jenny Svensson. Director and choreographer: Jakob Höglund. Set designer and puppet designer: Heini Maaranen. Costume designer: Heidi Wikar. Lighting designer: William Iles. Composer and sound designer: Stefan Johansson. Dramaturg and prompter: Christina Smeby. Artistic advisor: Grethe Henden. Producer: Silje Vigerust Vinjar
By Frida Nilsson. Dramatized by Jenny Svensson.
Performance length: 2 hours (including intermission).
World premiere: Oslo / Nydalen 8 Oct 2026
Tour premiere: Kristiansund Oct 14, 2026
Produced by the National Theatre.
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The National Theatre's review of Apestjernen: https://www.riksteatret.no/apestjernen
