Oscarsteatern
Encyclopedia
Oscarsteatern or "Oscars" (in English
: The Oscar Theatre) is one of Stockholm
's finest private theatres and the most well-known musical theatre
in Sweden
. It's located at Kungsgatan 63 in central Stockholm.
It was built in 1906 and named after King Oscar II
. The opening production was Frihetsbröderna (The Freedom Brothers) by Jacques Offenbach
on Dec 6 the same year. The theatre has during the years been seen as the foremost stage for musical productions and operetta
s in Sweden
. The theatre has 905 seats and was for many years in the early 20th century part of Albert Ranft
's theatre empire.
Over the years it has boasted some great musical productions, including several successful stagings of My Fair Lady
(the 1959-61 run as being the most legendary; 766 performances) and the 1989-1995 run of The Phantom of the Opera
(performed 1173 times). The original Swedish
(and Europe
an) staging of Nine
in 1983 is also among the most successful - and critically acclaimed - stagings in the theatre's history.
The theatre was between 1906-1926 managed by Albert Ranft, 1926-1947 by a.o. Gösta Ekman (senior)
and Pauline Brunius
(used in this period solely as a stage for the spoken drama), 1947-1998 by Sandrews (this period is often described as the theatre's "golden days" in terms of musical theatre shows).
Since 2004 it is managed by Vicky von der Lancken and her 2Entertain AB production company.
In the autumn of 2006 the theatre celebrated its 100 Jubilee with a colourful production of Singin' in the Rain
.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: The Oscar Theatre) is one of Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
's finest private theatres and the most well-known musical theatre
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It's located at Kungsgatan 63 in central Stockholm.
It was built in 1906 and named after King Oscar II
Oscar II of Sweden
Oscar II , baptised Oscar Fredrik was King of Sweden from 1872 until his death and King of Norway from 1872 until 1905. The third son of King Oscar I of Sweden and Josephine of Leuchtenberg, he was a descendant of Gustav I of Sweden through his mother.-Early life:At his birth in Stockholm, Oscar...
. The opening production was Frihetsbröderna (The Freedom Brothers) by Jacques Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach was a Prussian-born French composer, cellist and impresario. He is remembered for his nearly 100 operettas of the 1850s–1870s and his uncompleted opera The Tales of Hoffmann. He was a powerful influence on later composers of the operetta genre, particularly Johann Strauss, Jr....
on Dec 6 the same year. The theatre has during the years been seen as the foremost stage for musical productions and operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
s in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. The theatre has 905 seats and was for many years in the early 20th century part of Albert Ranft
Albert Ranft
Albert Adam Ranft was a Swedish theatre director and actor. Ranft debuted in the theatre company of Magda von Dolcke in 1876. He started his own travelling company in 1884 and was employed at Stora Teatern in Gothenburg from 1886...
's theatre empire.
Over the years it has boasted some great musical productions, including several successful stagings of My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady is a musical based upon George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe...
(the 1959-61 run as being the most legendary; 766 performances) and the 1989-1995 run of The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
(performed 1173 times). The original Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
(and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an) staging of Nine
Nine (musical)
Nine is a musical with a book by Arthur Kopit, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. The story is based on Federico Fellini's semi-autobiographical film 8½...
in 1983 is also among the most successful - and critically acclaimed - stagings in the theatre's history.
The theatre was between 1906-1926 managed by Albert Ranft, 1926-1947 by a.o. Gösta Ekman (senior)
Gösta Ekman (senior)
Gösta Ekman, Sr. , born Frans Gösta Viktor Ekman, was a Swedish actor. Generally spoken of as Swedish theatre's most legendary stage actor, Gösta Ekman enjoyed a prolific stage career during his short life, becoming the first real star of Swedish theatre...
and Pauline Brunius
Pauline Brunius
Pauline Brunius, née Emma Maria Pauline Lindstedt was a Swedish actor, Screenwriter and director. She was the managing director of the Royal Dramatic Theatre from 1938 to 1948....
(used in this period solely as a stage for the spoken drama), 1947-1998 by Sandrews (this period is often described as the theatre's "golden days" in terms of musical theatre shows).
Since 2004 it is managed by Vicky von der Lancken and her 2Entertain AB production company.
In the autumn of 2006 the theatre celebrated its 100 Jubilee with a colourful production of Singin' in the Rain
Singin' in the Rain (musical)
Singin' in the Rain is a musical with a book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, lyrics by Arthur Freed, and music by Nacio Herb Brown.Adapted from the 1952 movie of the same name, the plot closely adheres to the original...
.
External links
- Oscarsteatern.se (official site - non English)