Kirsten Heiberg
Encyclopedia
Kirsten Heiberg was a Norwegian actress and singer who had a major film career in Germany between 1938 and 1954. Heiberg was a Nazi, but was not punished by the Norwegians, as she was a German citizen.
Heiberg grew up in a boarding school, and studied in Lausanne
, Dijon
and Paris. Later, she studied English in Oxford
, England.
She made her debut at Den Nationale Scene
in 1929, and in the 1930s at the Carl Johan-Teatret and Scala Revyteater in Oslo. After guest appearances in the operatta revue "Pam-Pam" at Theater an der Wien
in 1937, she began a career in Germany both as a film actress and recording artist. She became one of Ufa's (Universum Film AG
) biggest stars and The Third Reich's femme fatale
- the "new Marlene Dietrich
". In Wien
, she met the composer Franz Grothe. They married in Oslo in 1938 and moved to Berlin. Because she had not immediately joined the NSDAP, she had two years without work, but she soon rose to the top again (1943 in "Liebespremiere").
Back in Norway after the war, she found great difficulty in finding roles due to her time in Germany during the war. However, she was not arrested by the Norwegians since she was a German citizen by that time. In Germany, she was in four films after the war (see filmography). In Trondheim
, she took an engagement as a resident at Trøndelag Teater
1952–60, acting in operettas, comedies, and serious classics and modern dramas. She also sporadically appeared in the Oslo scene in the 1960s and 70s.
She was the sister of author Else Heiberg.
On 15 August 2008, the premiere was held of the play "Glamour for Goebbels" at Haugesund Teater as part of the film festival. Elsa Aanensen played Kirsten Heiberg. Øyvind Osmo Eriksen was the instructor for the performance, and Halvor Lillesund was pianist. On 14 May 2009, the play moved to Det Åpne Teater in Oslo
.
Film clips and music were integrated in the play. It contained film of Aanensen as Kirsten Heiberg, but no clips from her old films were used. "Glamour for Goebbels" mostly dealt with Heiberg's time in Berlin, where she lived a glamorous lifestyle.
Heiberg grew up in a boarding school, and studied in Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, Dijon
Dijon
Dijon is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population : 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 for the greater Dijon area....
and Paris. Later, she studied English in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, England.
She made her debut at Den Nationale Scene
Den Nationale Scene
Den Nationale Scene is the largest theatre in Bergen, Norway. Den Nationale Scene is also one of the oldest permanent theatre in Norway.-History:...
in 1929, and in the 1930s at the Carl Johan-Teatret and Scala Revyteater in Oslo. After guest appearances in the operatta revue "Pam-Pam" at Theater an der Wien
Theater an der Wien
The Theater an der Wien is a historic theatre on the Left Wienzeile in the Mariahilf district of Vienna. Completed in 1801, it has seen the premieres of many celebrated works of theatre, opera, and symphonic music...
in 1937, she began a career in Germany both as a film actress and recording artist. She became one of Ufa's (Universum Film AG
Universum Film AG
Universum Film AG, better known as UFA or Ufa, is a film company that was the principal film studio in Germany, home of the German film industry during the Weimar Republic and through World War II, and a major force in world cinema from 1917 to 1945...
) biggest stars and The Third Reich's femme fatale
Femme fatale
A femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art...
- the "new Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer.Dietrich remained popular throughout her long career by continually re-inventing herself, professionally and characteristically. In the Berlin of the 1920s, she acted on the stage and in silent films...
". In Wien
Wien
Wien is the German language name for Vienna, the city and federal state in Austria.* Wien , in Vienna, Austria* Theater an der Wien, a theater in Vienna located at the former river WienWien may also refer to:...
, she met the composer Franz Grothe. They married in Oslo in 1938 and moved to Berlin. Because she had not immediately joined the NSDAP, she had two years without work, but she soon rose to the top again (1943 in "Liebespremiere").
Back in Norway after the war, she found great difficulty in finding roles due to her time in Germany during the war. However, she was not arrested by the Norwegians since she was a German citizen by that time. In Germany, she was in four films after the war (see filmography). In Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
, she took an engagement as a resident at Trøndelag Teater
Trøndelag Teater
Trøndelag Teater is a large theater in the city of Trondheim, in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway.-Background:Trøndelag Teater stages large-scale dance and musical performances. Originally built in 1816, the theater is the oldest stage in Scandinavia in continuous use...
1952–60, acting in operettas, comedies, and serious classics and modern dramas. She also sporadically appeared in the Oslo scene in the 1960s and 70s.
She was the sister of author Else Heiberg.
On 15 August 2008, the premiere was held of the play "Glamour for Goebbels" at Haugesund Teater as part of the film festival. Elsa Aanensen played Kirsten Heiberg. Øyvind Osmo Eriksen was the instructor for the performance, and Halvor Lillesund was pianist. On 14 May 2009, the play moved to Det Åpne Teater in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
.
Film clips and music were integrated in the play. It contained film of Aanensen as Kirsten Heiberg, but no clips from her old films were used. "Glamour for Goebbels" mostly dealt with Heiberg's time in Berlin, where she lived a glamorous lifestyle.
Filmography and discography
Filmography
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Discography
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