Søsterværker
A New Format is Born
At Betty Nansen Theatre, we've developed a new format called Søsterværker. These works are inspired by the theatre's main productions but take on different forms and genres diverging from traditional theatrical performances. This may include documentaries, happenings, events or concerts portraying new voices and perspectives while exploring the same themes as the original works. Each Søsterværk is a small creation in its own right, often reaching beyond the theatre's usual boundaries into other realms.
Why do we create Søsterværker for performances?
The performing arts is a sensory and diverse art form that speaks to us through bodies, words, music and images. At Betty, we aim to broaden the audience for performing arts and explore new and unconventional ways of presenting it beyond the traditional theater stage. Søsterværker are our method of liberating both the art form and the artists to experiment with new formats. We hope these works will reach and resonate with audiences we haven’t previously engaged.
How can you experience Søsterværker?
Audiences can enjoy the works independently of the main productions, but experiencing both together will reveal how these pieces interact and converse with each other.
A prime example is EDWARD II. This queer royal drama, penned by Christopher Marlowe in the 16th century, is being staged in a fresh reinterpretation on the historic stage of Betty Nansen. Søsterværker to EDWARD II include five short documentary films exploring contemporary queer experiences and a Ball set in the scenography, where we handed over the stage to the queer community for an evening.
These works investigate what it means to be queer and the impact of challenging prevailing norms and frameworks. They do so in distinct ways, with varied perspectives and voices, collectively creating a rich dialogue across time, individuals, and art.
Søsterværker have been made possible with support from the Bikuben Foundation.
Why is it important to remind me of what you think I am
Experience five short documentaries about queer people's experiences fitting into contemporary Denmark, a society where they deviate from the norm.
Created by director Therese Willstedt, these films collectively bear the title: ‘Why Is It Important to Remind Me of What You Think I Am?’
These five documentary shorts are a sister work to the performance 'Edward II'.
Unknown places
In the documentary 'Unknown Places', former soloist Kizzy Matiakis steps back onto the stage for the first time since retiring from the Royal Danish Ballet. Her return is marked by her performance in the dance piece 'Waiting Places', which explores the interim spaces we navigate throughout our lives. The film captures Kizzy as she prepares for the performance, gradually awakening the dancer within her.
'Unknown Places' serves as a sister work to 'Waiting Places'.
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