Agnes Mowinckel

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Agnes Mowinckel
Mowinckel c. 1905
Born
Agnes Mowinckel

(1875-08-25)25 August 1875
Bergen, Norway
Died1 April 1963(1963-04-01) (aged 87)
Oslo, Norway
Occupations
  • Actress
  • theatre director
Years active1899–1963
Spouse
Hans Brecke Blehr
​
​
(m. 1899; div. 1909)​
Children3

Agnes Mowinckel (25 August 1875 – 1 April 1963) was a Norwegian actress and theatre director. Born in Bergen into a distinguished family, she became Norway's first professional stage director. A pioneer in bringing painters to the theatre, she used light as an artistic element, and engaged contemporary composers. She took part in theatrical experiments, worked at small stages in Oslo, and founded her own theatre.

Her first stage production was an adaptation of

Folketeatret; she produced plays for Trøndelag Teater, and a number of plays for Nationaltheatret. She had a masterful and spirited personality, and has been called the mare
of Norwegian theatre.

As an actress she was often used in

Sekondteatret in its first season, until she got married. After ten years she made a comeback as actress, touring one year with Nationalturneen, and played one season with Trondhjems nationale Scene. She participated in Danish films in the mid-1910s, appeared regularly at Centralteatret from 1916 to 1921, and had a three years assignment as actress for Det Nye Teater
from 1928.

Personal and social life

Mowinckel was born in

Norwegian Parliament for one period.[2][3] Johan Ernst supported her morally when she chose to embark on a theatrical career, and later helped her financially when needed; he funded her visits to England and Paris. Her brother Harald had taken over the family firm, one of Norway's largest fish exporters. Her sister Johanne Vogt was among the first women who met in the Norwegian Parliament (as a suppleant for Henrik Ameln).[4]

She was a second cousin of Prime Minister Johan Ludwig Mowinckel, and a sister-in-law of the theatre critics Gunnar Heiberg and Sigurd Bødtker.[1] From 1899 to 1909 she was married to ship broker Hans Brecke Blehr,[1] and had three children with him until they divorced.[5] She later became a close friend of her brother-in-law Sigurd Bødtker, after the latter's divorce from Blehr's sister in 1910;[6] they eventually lived together.[7][8]

In 1917 she bought a summer house at the island Hvasser. The place was called "Abergeldie", from a name plate found on the beach and mounted above the outer door. An annex called "Sivertstua" was raised and came to be Sigurd Bødtker's residence. Her house at Hvasser was regularly visited by her friends, becoming a meeting place for painters and writers.[9][10]

Career

Early years

Actress Laura Gundersen had an early influence on Agnes Mowinckel's career.

In 1894, aged nineteen, Agnes Mowinckel travelled to

Fru Inger til Østeraad.[16][17]

Comeback in 1909

In 1909, after ten years as a mother and housewife, Mowinckel separated from Blehr. Finding herself in a situation with no place to live, no money and no job, and with three small children, Mowinckel joined the touring theatre Nationalturneen for the 1909/1910 season, as an actress and also as responsible for the costumes.

stage composition and use of light.[23][24] In Paris she was particularly inspired by Charles Dullin, and his way of interweaving drama with music and painting.[23] In the 1910s she participated in a few Danish films. One of these was the short film Proletargeniet from 1914, where she played the wife of a professor.[25][26] It is assumed that she participated in three or four films, but details about the other films appear to be lost.[25]

Mowinckel as Lady Inger, 1921

When she returned to Kristiania and found a home at Elisenbergveien she still had contact with her social network. Her home was open for family and friends. Among the visitors were theatre critic Sigurd Bødtker, who eventually moved in with her, Olaf Bull, Nils Kjær, Helge Krog, Ronald Fangen, Sigurd Hoel, Nini Roll Anker, Oda Krohg, Hulda Garborg, Sigrid Undset, Jens Thiis and Sven Elvestad.[27] The group regularly met at the restaurant Anden Etage at Hotel Continental.[28][29] She was always carefully dressed, often with self-designed costumes and hats.[30]

At Centralteatret in 1916 she played the title character in Jan Fabricius' play Fru Ynske, and the character "Rosa Mamai" in

Fru Inger til Østeraad at Centralteatret was a popular success, garnering praise in critical reviews.[35][36]

Stage director from 1922

In 1922 Mowinckel staged an adaptation of Wedekind's play Spring Awakening at Intimteatret.[1] The performance was well received by the public, with standing ovations. This was the first time Munch's paintings were used at a Norwegian stage.[37] In a retrospective article from 1939 Anton Rønneberg characterized this event as an important day in the history of Norwegian theatre. He pointed at her artistic eye for the stage setting, and for the harmony between stage decorations, costumes, light and choreography.[38]

Mowinckel produced a total of 28 plays for

Nexö's Dangardsfolket.[43] In 1924 Mowinckel staged Crommelynck's play Den praktfulde hanrei (in French: Le cocu magnifique) at Det Frie Teater. This was actress Tore Løkkeberg's first sensation, when she played the character "Stella",[44] exposing her bare breast.[45] In February 1925 she produced Gullvåg's historical play Den lange notti for Det Norske Teatret.[46]

Nationaltheatret 1925–1926

In 1925 Mowinckel was contracted by theatre director

Johanne Dybwad, who played one of the roles, refused to cooperate. The play was then dropped from the repertoire.[50] In January 1926 she staged Bergman's Swedenhielms,[51] and in March 1926 Christiansen's Edmund Jahr.[52] Her production of Shaw's play Jeanne d'Arc in November 1926, in which opera singer Cally Monrad played the title role, was not as successful as expected. In the aftermath, influential staff members at the theatre blamed Mowinckel for the debacle, and asked theatre director Bjørnson to dismiss her from her position as stage director. Mowinckel was allowed leave the same day, and released from her contract for the next season. Bjørnson himself resigned from his position a half year later.[53][54]
It would be seven years before she gained her next assignment for Nationaltheatret.

Theatre director at Balkongen 1927–1928

Mowinckel as Ellida Wangel in Ibsen's The Lady from the Sea at Balkongen, 1928

After the incidents at Nationaltheatret Mowinckel started her own theatre in 1927, called

Brødrene Hals' old concert hall, which had formerly been used by the revue theatre Chat Noir. The first production was Aleichem's play Hevnens gud. Other productions were Langer's play Periferi (Czech: Periferie, in English: The Outskirts), Kaus' play Toni, Ansky's Dybuk, Ibsen's Fruen fra havet, and the first stage production of Obstfelder's De røde draaber.[55][56]

Late 1920s and 1930s

Mowinckel played "Lady Inger" at Centralteatret for the Ibsen jubilée in 1928.[57] In May 1928 she produced Vesaas' play Frå fest til fest for Det Norske Teatret,[58] and O'Casey's Plogen og stjernone in September 1929.[59] She played the male character "Thy" in Hamsun's Livets Spill at the opening performance at Det Nye Teater in February 1929,[60] and directed and played in Ibsen's Et dukkehjem for Det Nye Teater in 1929.[61][62] In 1931 she staged Stuart's comedy Fra ni til seks at Centralteatret.[63] At Det Norske Teatret in March 1931 she staged an adaptation of Frank's Carl and Anna, in October O'Neill's Alle Guds born har vengjer, and in November 1931 Soini's Syndebukken. In February 1932 she produced Braaten's adaptation of Zuckmayer's play Der Hauptmann von Köpenick. As advertising they let German "soldiers" patrol the streets, which led to official protests from the German Embassy in Oslo. In May 1932 she produced Martinez Sierra's play Dei spanske nonnone (Spanish: Canción de Cuna), in September Langer's Kamelen gjennom nålauga (Czech: Velbloub uchem jehly, in English: The Camel through the Needle's Eye), and in October 1932 Drabløs' adaptation of Falkberget's Eli Sjursdotter. In February 1933 she produced Glebov's Under Sovjet, and in December Ørjasæter's Anne på Torp.[64] In 1933 she staged Gjesdahl's adaptation of Winsloe's play Gestern und heute at Det Nye Teater, a performance which made a strong impression on the public.[65]

Mowinckel's next commission for Nationaltheatret after the incident in 1927 was her production of

Nationaltheatret in 1939.[69]

Second World War

In January 1941 Mowinckel staged Ørjasæter's play Jo Gjende at Det Norske Teatret.[70][71] She played the character "Merete Beyer" in Wiers-Jenssen's play Anne Pedersdotter at Nationaltheatret in February 1941.[72] She staged Kielland's comedy Tre Par for Nationaltheatret in April 1941. Tre par was the last performance before the Nazi authorities took over the management of Nationaltheatret.[73] In January 1942 she produced Wessel's Kiærlighed uden strømper and in February Wiers-Jenssen's Anne Pedersdotter for Trøndelag Teater.[74] In October 1942 she staged Kinck's play Agilulf den vise at the Det Norske Teatret, the last production before theatre director Hergel fled the country to escape the German occupation.[75]

Post war period

In 1945 Mowinckel helped

Folketeatret in 1952, Heiberg's play Tante Ulrikke.[1] In May 1953 she staged Schiller's Maria Stuart at Nationaltheatret, at a gala performance for the official visit by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.[95][96] She staged the first production of Stenersen's Eva og Johannes at Nationaltheatret in November 1953.[97][98] In September 1954 she staged Ibsen's En Folkefiende at Trøndelag Teater.[99] In January 1955 Havrevold's new play Uretten was staged by Mowinckel at Nationaltheatret, and the play resulted in a fierce debate on women's rights.[100][101][102] In May 1956 she produced Ibsen's play Lille Eyolf.[103] Her last stage appearance was in 1963, when she performed as the aging "Camilla Collett" at Oslo Nye Teater.[1]

Legacy

"Portrait of Actress Agnes Mowinckel" (1904), by Christian Krohg

Several artists created portraits of Mowinckel that are on public display. In the Theatercafeen in Oslo a portrait by

National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design. Henrik Sørensen's painting is at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen, and a portrait by Kai Fjell is located at Nationaltheatret.[1]

Mowinckel's temperament was often fiery, earning her nicknames such as the "Volcano", "Storm centre", "Eagle" or "Natural disaster".[30] The painter and theatre worker Ferdinand Finne called her the "mare of Norwegian theatre"[quote 1] Her biographer Lise Lyche used this phrase as the title of her book, Norsk teaters mare, published in 1990.[105]

Mowinckel received the artists' scholarship (

Vår Frelsers gravlund in Oslo.[1][108]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Norwegian: Norsk teaters mare gjennom hundre år. Lyche 1990: p. 6

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Losnedahl, Kari Gaarder. "Agnes Mowinckel". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  2. ^ Hoffstad, Einar, ed. (1935). "Mowinckel, J(ohan) E(rnst)". Merkantilt biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Yrkesforlaget. p. 534. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  3. ^ "Johan Ernst Mowinckel". Norwegian Social Science Data Services (NSD). Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  4. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 124–125
  5. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 49–50
  6. ^ Lyche, Lise. "Sigurd Bødtker". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  7. ^ Ringdal 2000: pp. 158, 663
  8. ^ Lyche 1990: p. 68
  9. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 120–123
  10. ^ Schulerud 1960: pp. 503–505
  11. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 23–28
  12. ^ Wiers-Jenssen; Nordahl-Olsen 1926: pp. 402–403
  13. ^ Dahl 1959: pp. 18–21
  14. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 40–41
  15. ^ a b Lyche 1990: p. 42
  16. ^ Rønneberg 1947: p. 128
  17. ^ Ringdal 2000: p. 40
  18. ^ a b Dahl 1959: p. 129
  19. ^ Lyche 1990: p. 52
  20. ^ Øisang 1962: p. 30
  21. ^ Øisang 1941: pp. 204–213
  22. ^ Aarseth 1969: pp. 252–253
  23. ^ a b c Lyche 1990: pp. 58–61
  24. ^ Dalgard, Olav (1957). "Mowinckel, Agnes". In Sudmann, Arnulv (ed.). Norsk Allkunnebok (in Norwegian). Vol. 8. Oslo: Fonna Forlag. pp. 743–744.
  25. ^ a b Lyche 1990: pp. 62–65
  26. ^ "Proletargeniet" (in Norwegian). Filmfront AS. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  27. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 66–72
  28. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 12–13
  29. ^ Schulerud 1960: pp. 608–609
  30. ^ a b Lyche 1990: p. 10
  31. ^ Gjesdahl 1964: pp.93–95
  32. ^ Gjesdahl 1964: pp. 100–101
  33. ^ Gjesdahl 1964: pp. 110–111
  34. ^ Skavlan, Einar (1924). "Mowinckel, Agnes". In Blangstrup, Chr. (ed.). Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon (in Danish). Vol. 17 (2 ed.). Copenhagen: J.H. Schultz Forlagsboghandel. pp. 371–372. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  35. ^ Gjesdahl 1964: pp. 125–126
  36. ^ Fangen, Ronald (1922). Gran, Gerhard (ed.). "Teater". Samtiden (in Norwegian). 33: 158–168.
  37. ^ Lyche 1990: p. 84
  38. ^ Rønneberg 1945: pp. 175–181
  39. ^ Sletbak 1963: p. 459
  40. ^ Borgen 1963: p. 406
  41. ^ Dalgard 1963: pp. 100–103
  42. ^ Gatland, Jan Olav. "Torvald Tu". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  43. ^ Dalgard 1963: pp. 103–107
  44. ^ Kvalvik, Bent. "Tore Segelcke". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  45. ^ Lyche 1990: p. 80
  46. ^ Dalgard 1963: pp. 107–108
  47. ^ Ringdal 2000: pp. 158–159
  48. ^ Rønneberg 1949: p. 131
  49. ^ Ringdal 2000: p. 159
  50. ^ Ringdal 2000: pp. 159–160
  51. ^ Rønneberg 1949: p. 136
  52. ^ Rønneberg 1949: pp. 137–138
  53. ^ Rønneberg 1949: pp. 144–147
  54. ^ Lyche 1990 pp. 101–104
  55. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 105–110
  56. ^ Lyche 1991: pp. 158–159
  57. ^ Gjesdahl 1964: p. 168
  58. ^ Dalgard 1963: p. 126
  59. ^ Dalgard 1963: p. 133
  60. ^ Lyche 1990: p. 109
  61. ^ Elster 1941: pp. 53–57
  62. ^ Rønneberg 1945: pp. 85–87
  63. ^ Gjesdahl 1964: p. 190
  64. ^ Dalgard 1963: pp. 140–153
  65. ^ Skavlan 1960: pp. 39–41
  66. ^ Rønneberg 1949: pp. 264–265
  67. ^ Dalgard 1963: pp. 170–171
  68. ^ Dalgard 1963: pp. 173–174
  69. ^ Gjesdahl 1957: pp. 60–65
  70. ^ Dalgard 1963: p. 212
  71. ^ Skavlan 1960: pp. 150–153
  72. ^ Rønneberg 1949: pp. 379–380
  73. ^ Rønneberg 1949: pp. 381–388
  74. ^ Øisang 1962: pp. 67–68
  75. ^ Moren 1963: pp. 224–225
  76. ^ Bolling : pp. 188–189
  77. ^ Olsen 1995: pp. 20–29
  78. ^ Øisang 1962: pp. 79–81
  79. ^ Olsen 1995: pp. 44–50
  80. ^ Olsen 1995: pp. 54–60
  81. ^ Olsen 1995: pp. 76–78
  82. ^ Kvalvik, Bent. "Merete Skavlan". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  83. ^ Gjesdahl 1957: pp. 94–98
  84. ^ Rønneberg 1949: pp. 469–471
  85. ^ Gjesdahl 1957: pp. 112–115
  86. ^ Moren 1963: pp. 244–245
  87. ^ a b Rønneberg 1974: pp. 42–43
  88. ^ Lyche 1990: pp. 126–133
  89. ^ Moren 1963: pp. 248–250
  90. ^ Rønneberg 1974: p. 56
  91. ^ Skavlan 1960: pp. 272–275
  92. ^ Gjesdahl 1957: pp. 140–144
  93. ^ Rønneberg 1974: pp. 61–62
  94. ^ Skavlan 1960: pp. 290–292
  95. ^ Rønneberg 1974: pp. 74–75
  96. ^ Skavlan 1960: pp. 312–315
  97. ^ Skavlan 1960: pp. 315–318
  98. ^ Rønneberg 1974: pp. 78–79
  99. ^ Øisang 1962: pp. 134
  100. ^ Rønneberg 1974: pp. 87–88
  101. ^ Gjesdahl 1957: pp. 229–232
  102. ^ Rottem, Øystein. "Finn Havrevold". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  103. ^ Rønneberg 1974: p. 100
  104. ^ Lyche 1990: p. 11
  105. ^ Lyche 1990
  106. ^ Keilhau, Wollert; Kleppa, Peter; Tvedt, Knut, eds. (2010). "Mowinckel, Agnes". Norsk konversasjonsleksikon Kringla Heimsins. Vol. 6 (2nd ed.). Oslo: Nasjonalforlaget. p. 426.
  107. ^ Fasting 1973: p. 237
  108. ^ Lyche 1990: p. 6

Bibliography

  • Aarseth, Asbjørn (1969). Den Nationale Scene 1901–1931 (in Norwegian). Oslo: Gyldendal.
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  • Borgen, Johan (1963). "Hilsen fra teatrets uvenner". In Sletbak, Nils (ed.). Det Norske Teatret femti år 1913–1963 (in Norwegian). pp. 399–409.
  • Dahl, Sophus (1959). Teaterminner. Fra Nasjonalturneens dager (in Norwegian). Oslo: Dreyer.
  • Dalgard, Olav (1963). "Framsyningane 1913–1942". In Sletbak, Nils (ed.). Det Norske Teatret femti år 1913–1963 (in Norwegian). pp. 50–221.
  • Elster, Kristian (1941). Teater 1929–1939 (in Norwegian). Oslo: Aschehoug.
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  • Gjesdahl, Paul (1957). Premièrer og portretter (in Norwegian). Oslo: Cappelen.
  • Gjesdahl, Paul (1964). Centralteatrets historie (in Norwegian). Oslo: Gyldendal.
  • Lyche, Lise (1990). Norsk teaters mare. Agnes Mowinckel og norsk kunstnerliv (in Norwegian). Grøndahl.
    ISBN 82-504-1756-9
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  • Lyche, Lise (1991). Norges teaterhistorie (in Norwegian). Asker: Tell forlag.
    ISBN 82-7522-006-8
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  • Moren, Sven (1963). "Framsyningane 1942–1953". In Sletbak, Nils (ed.). Det Norske Teatret femti år 1913–1963 (in Norwegian). pp. 222–263.
  • Øisang, Ole (1941). Teater i Trondheim (in Norwegian). Trondheim: Det Trondhjemske Theaterinteressentskab / F. Bruns bokhandels forlag.
  • Øisang, Ole (1962). Trøndelag teater gjennom 25 år (in Norwegian). Trondheim: Trøndelag Teater / F. Bruns bokhandels forlag.
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  • ISBN 82-05-26482-1
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  • Rønneberg, Anton (1945). Teater hjemme og ute. Artikler i utvalg (in Norwegian). Oslo: Aschehoug.
  • Rønneberg, Anton (1949). Nationaltheatret gjennom femti år (in Norwegian). Oslo: Gyldendal.
  • Rønneberg, Anton (1974). Nationaltheatret 1949–1974 (in Norwegian). Oslo: Gyldendal.
    ISBN 82-05-06254-4
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  • Schulerud, Mentz (1960). Norsk kunstnerliv (in Norwegian). Oslo: Cappelen.
  • Skavlan, Einar (1960). Norsk teater 1930–1953 (in Norwegian). Oslo: Aschehoug.
  • Sletbak, Nils, ed. (1963). Det Norske Teatret. Femti år 1913–1963 (in Norwegian). Oslo: Det Norske Samlaget.
  • Wiers-Jenssen, H.; Nordahl-Olsen, Joh. (1926). Den Nationale Scene. De første 25 aar (in Norwegian). Bergen: John Griegs Forlag.

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