Per Aabel
Encyclopedia
Per Pavels Aabel was a respected and honored Norwegian
actor, artist, dancer, choreographer and instructor.
, a popular Norwegian comedian and actor in Norwegian and Swedish silent film. He studied at Sergei Diaghilev
's Ballets Russes
in London
, after studying at the ballet teacher Enrico Cecchetti
. He also attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris
. He then embarked on training with the theatre director Max Reinhardt
in Vienna
before making his stage debut in 1931.
Aabel spent a number of years as a principal actor and teacher with major theatre companies in Oslo
during the 1930s. Aabel was the director of Carl Johan Teatret between 1933 to 1938. He did not appear in film until the late 1940s. He is more renowned though for his work with the Norwegian theatre. He was employed at the Centralteatret
from 1938 to 1940 and the Nationaltheatret
from 1940 to 1972.
In the public mind he is probably best remembered as an esteemed raconteur. After his retirement, Per Aabel was a frequent entertainer on television as a storyteller. He appeared frequently at national events and artist anniversaries. His statue, by Norwegian sculptor, Nina Emilie Sundbye, was unveiled outside the stage entrance of the Nationaltheatret in 1999.
in 1988 and 1998. He was decorated as a Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav in 1978. In 1988 Aabel was decorated the Grand Cross of St. Olav (Storkors) - awarded to heads of state as a courtesy and in rare cases to individuals for merit.
The Per Aabel Honorary Award (Per Aabels ærespris) is awarded annually on Per Aabel's birthday, April 25. The award was established in 1979 and the first award granted to a talented, Norwegian actor or actress in 1980. The prize includes a statuette of Per Aabel designed by Nina Sundbye. The committee that selects the prize winner is made by Wenche Foss
, Bjarte Hjelmeland
and theater director Eirik Stubø
.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
actor, artist, dancer, choreographer and instructor.
Biography
Per Aabel was the son of Hauk AabelHauk Aabel
Hauk Erlendssøn Aabel was a popular Norwegian comedian and actor in Norwegian and Swedish silent film.-Career:...
, a popular Norwegian comedian and actor in Norwegian and Swedish silent film. He studied at Sergei Diaghilev
Sergei Diaghilev
Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev , usually referred to outside of Russia as Serge, was a Russian art critic, patron, ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes, from which many famous dancers and choreographers would arise.-Early life and career:...
's Ballets Russes
Ballets Russes
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, after studying at the ballet teacher Enrico Cecchetti
Enrico Cecchetti
Enrico Cecchetti was an Italian ballet dancer, mime, and founder of the Cecchetti method. The son of two dancers from Civitanova Marche, he was born in the costuming room of the Teatro Tordinona in Rome. After an illustrious career as a dancer in Europe, he went to dance for the Imperial Ballet in...
. He also attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He then embarked on training with the theatre director Max Reinhardt
Max Reinhardt
----Max Reinhardt was an Austrian theater and film director and actor.-Biography:...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
before making his stage debut in 1931.
Aabel spent a number of years as a principal actor and teacher with major theatre companies 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...
during the 1930s. Aabel was the director of Carl Johan Teatret between 1933 to 1938. He did not appear in film until the late 1940s. He is more renowned though for his work with the Norwegian theatre. He was employed at the Centralteatret
Centralteatret
Centralteatret is a theatre in Akersgata, Oslo, Norway.Centralteatret was established by the Alma Isabella Bosse Fahlstrøm and Johan Peter Broust Fahlstrøm in 1897. From 1902, Harald Otto was the theater manager and owner. His son, Reidar Otto, subsequently ran it, while his son, Harald Otto...
from 1938 to 1940 and the Nationaltheatret
Nationaltheatret
The National Theatre in Oslo is one of Norway's largest and most prominent venues for performance of dramatic arts.The theatre had its first performance on 1 September 1899 but can trace its origins to Christiania Theatre, which was founded in 1829...
from 1940 to 1972.
In the public mind he is probably best remembered as an esteemed raconteur. After his retirement, Per Aabel was a frequent entertainer on television as a storyteller. He appeared frequently at national events and artist anniversaries. His statue, by Norwegian sculptor, Nina Emilie Sundbye, was unveiled outside the stage entrance of the Nationaltheatret in 1999.
Awards
Aabel was given the Karl Gerhard honorary award in 1970, Årets Peer Gynt in 1972, the St. Hallvard Medal in 1976, Amanda Honorary AwardAmanda (award)
The Amanda Award is an award given annually at the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, Norway, to promote and improve Norwegian film. The award originated in 1985, and has since 2005 been exclusively a film award...
in 1988 and 1998. He was decorated as a Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav in 1978. In 1988 Aabel was decorated the Grand Cross of St. Olav (Storkors) - awarded to heads of state as a courtesy and in rare cases to individuals for merit.
The Per Aabel Honorary Award (Per Aabels ærespris) is awarded annually on Per Aabel's birthday, April 25. The award was established in 1979 and the first award granted to a talented, Norwegian actor or actress in 1980. The prize includes a statuette of Per Aabel designed by Nina Sundbye. The committee that selects the prize winner is made by Wenche Foss
Wenche Foss
Eva Wenche Steenfeldt Stang , better known as Wenche Foss, was a leading Norwegian actress of stage, screen and television.-Biography:...
, Bjarte Hjelmeland
Bjarte Hjelmeland
Bjarte Hjelmeland is a Norwegian actor and theatre director.He was born in Bergen. He made his stage debut in 1991 at Oslo Nye Teater, and also had notable roles at the National Theatre, Rogaland Teater, Torshovteatret, Den Nationale Scene and Chateau Neuf...
and theater director Eirik Stubø
Eirik Stubø
Eirik Aasan Stubø is a Norwegian stage producer and theatre director. He was theatre director at the Rogaland Teater from 1997 to 2000, and theatre director at the National Theatre from 2000 to 2008. He received the OBIE Award for his production of Ibsen's play The Wild Duck, shown in New York...
.
Other sources
- Lillo-Stenberg, Ole (ed.) Alene på scenen: Per Aabel og tekstene hans (2001) (Andresen & Butenschøn) ISBN 82-7694-071-4
- Hansen, Jan Erik (1993.) Kjære Per Aabel (Cappelen) ISBN 82-02-13805-1