Haugtussa

Close

Haugtussa

Nationaltheatret / Eline Arbo

Shows

Sorry, there are currently no available shows.
Haugtussa
Nationaltheatret / Eline Arbo

"A dark masterpiece" - Aftenposten ★★★★★★

The Norwegian author Arne Garborg wrote the poems about Haugtussa in 1885, and immediately inspired Edvard Grieg to compose his famous song cycle, giving Haugtussa her musical voice. Intertwining theatre and music, the ensemble from Nationaltheatret in Oslo will perform together with mezzosoprano Adrian Angelico and pianist Marita Kjetland Rabben. The director Eline Arbo, whose productions are often like rock concerts, captures the moods of the story powerfully and atmospherically. With music by Thijs van Vuure, the result is an intense interdisciplinary experience.

Run time 105 minutes
Genre Music theatre
Language Norwegian
Surtitles English and Dutch

Dutch Opening Night Thu September 19

Please note the performance will deal with depression, suicide and mental illness. Smoke and fog are used during the performance.

Haugtussa


From an early age Haugtussa (literally: The Mountains Maid) can tell she’s different: she sees things other people can’t see and has powers other people don’t have. Finding no place in the community, she takes refuge in nature, searching for herself and finding her first great love, who only causes her more pain. Struggling with being different, she feels lost, caught between the expectations of society and her own innermost desires.
-|-
“I’d rather see with my own eyes, than walk through life deaf and blind, never separating truth from lie.” - Arne Garborg

Reviews

Aftenposten ★★★★★★

"Haugtussa has become a dark masterpiece. It's beautiful, musical and has the most gorgeous sex scene of the decade. Eline Arbo's version of ‘Haugtussa’ could become a theatre classic."

de Volkskrant

"Eline Arbo makes dark, mysterious and sometimes comic musical theatre out of ‘Haugtussa’ (‘Troll girl’)"

NRC

"Loneliness, heartbreak, dancing with death: these are universal themes, not tied to any time or place. It is clever how this new adaptation highlights precisely those elements, making the story of a Norwegian girl from the 19th century relatable to a present-day audience."

Trouw

"In the immaculate ‘Haugtussa’, trolls are simply mythical creatures again."

Theaterkrant

"A magical tale about the power of being different."

Credits


van Arne Garborg
adaptation Eline Arbo and Njål Helge Mjøs
composition Edvard Grieg
direction Eline Arbo
composition and music Thijs van Vuure
set design and lighting design Norunn Standal
costume design Alva Walderhaug Brosten
sound design Dennis Slot
choreography Ida Wigdel
hair and make-up Ida Kristine Høgbakk
dramaturgy Njål Helge Mjøs
-|-
with Kjersti Tveterås (VESLEMØY), Christian Ruud Kallum (JON), Øystein Røger (The King of the Blue Hill), Liv Bernhoft Osa (MOTHER), Hanne Skille Reitan (Megga fra Ås (The Rich Bitch from Ås)), Adrian Angelico (Singer), Catharina Vehre Gresslien (Dancer)

produced by Nationalteatret (Norwegian National Theatre) in co-production with Ruhrtriennale.

A special thanks to Peter Nohlmans and Dinko Valerio for their generous support of this series of performances

Eline Arbo
Director
Eline Arbo

Eline Arbo is Artistic Director at ITA since September 2023. From 2022 she was already linked to ITA as Associate Artistic Director. From January 2023, Arbo was appointed Ibsen Artist in Residence, an initiative of the Philip Loubser Foundation, which gives directors with an international ambition the opportunity to develop themselves artistically.

In season 25|26, she will create Copenhagen Trilogy (Tove Ditlevsen) and her stagings of Giovanni's Room (James Baldwin), The Laws (Connie Palmen), Prima Facie (Suzie Miller), The Wall (Marlen Haushofer) and The End of Eddy (Édouard Louis), will be reprised.

View Profile
Thijs van Vuure
Muzikant
Thijs van Vuure

Thijs van Vuure studied biology and philosophy at the Vrije Universiteit (Amsterdam). After his master's degree in biology, he studied instrumental performance and music composition at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (Utrecht), and fine arts at the Rietveld Academy (Amsterdam).
​​
Over the last years, Thijs specialised in composing, arranging, sounddesign and music direction for theatre and on a regular basis he performs on stage with variable instruments and styles, depending on the concept and context of the performance. Besides this he creates projects where art, philosophy and science and their reciprocal influences are a central theme. Among others he makes site responsive performances and installations as a part of Collectief Walden, an interdisciplinary collective which performs (inter)nationally.

Previously at ITA he worked on the music for The Hours (2021),Penthesilea (2023), Prima Facie (2023) and The Laws (2024), Giovanni's Room (2025), The Wall (2025), Time for Joy (2025). In season 25/26 he is making the music for The Laws.

View Profile

Haugtussa is supported by

MORE THEATRE

Language NP Language no problem Time for Joy ITA Ensemble Theater Time for Joy
Close Time for Joy ITA Ensemble / Eline Arbo / Bianca van der Schoot
04 Jun '25 to 14 Jun '25
Time for Joy is a comedic, sometimes absurdist, yet deeply emotional play that gently compels us to reflect on who we are to one another, on loneliness, loss, and our relentless pursuit of happiness.
Language NP Language no problem Bérénice Romeo Castellucci, Isabelle Huppert Theater Bérénice
Close Bérénice Romeo Castellucci, Isabelle Huppert
13 Jun '25 to 15 Jun '25
Powerful, feverish and nerve-racking. Iconic actress Isabelle Huppert gives voice to intense feelings of despair, desire and sacrifice.
Language NP Language no problem Trilogia Cadela Força - Capítulo: The Brotherhood Carolina Bianchi y Cara de Cavalo Theater Trilogia Cadela Força - Capítulo: The Brotherhood
Close Trilogia Cadela Força - Capítulo: The Brotherhood Carolina Bianchi y Cara de Cavalo
18 Jun '25 to 20 Jun '25
Overwhelming second volume of Carolina Bianchi's theatrical trilogy explores “fraternity codes,” sexual violence and misogyny in uncompromising and confrontational ways.
Language NP Language no problem The Hours
on Tour
ITA Ensemble Theater The Hours
Close The Hours ITA Ensemble / Eline Arbo
20 Jun '25 to 22 Jun '25
The stage adaptation of Michael Cunningham's The Hours.
Language NP Language no problem ROHTKO Lukasz Twarkowski, Anka Herbut, Dailes Teatris Theater ROHTKO
Close ROHTKO Lukasz Twarkowski, Anka Herbut, Dailes Teatris
25 Jun '25 to 28 Jun '25
How does the value of originals differ from that of copies? Łukasz Twarkowski searches for answers in his performance full of rousing beats and video projections.
Language NP Language no problem The seasons Het Nationale Theater, Eric de Vroedt Theater The seasons
Close The seasons Het Nationale Theater, Eric de Vroedt
27 Jun '25 to 29 Jun '25
Where do you find hope in an upside-down world?
Language NP Language no problem The Years
on Tour
ITA Ensemble Theater The Years
Close The Years ITA Ensemble
13 Jul '25 to 14 Jul '25
“Nothing short of theatrical magic. [...] A celebratory explosion of language and acting.” – De Nederlandse Toneeljury. Due to its great success, The Years by Het Nationale Theater returns in 2024!
Language NP Language no problem DORIAN: portret van een onstilbare Club WILD Theater DORIAN: portret van een onstilbare
Close DORIAN: portret van een onstilbare Club WILD
28 Jul '25 to 29 Jul '25
DORIAN is a queer adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. The story explores the search for one's true self and the concealment of it, as well as themes of hedonism and beauty.
Language NP Language no problem Jongens Thor Braun Theater Jongens
Close Jongens Thor Braun
31 Jul '25 to 01 Aug '25
Jongens is a passionate immersion into the work of the controversial filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini. An extravagant yet intimate monologue about the longing for love and sexuality.
Language NP Language no problem The Wall ITA Ensemble Theater The Wall
Close The Wall ITA Ensemble
21 Aug '25 to 26 Apr '26
A middle-aged woman spends a few days at a friends' game lodge in the Alps.
Language NP Language no problem The End of Eddy
ITA Ensemble Theater The End of Eddy
Close The End of Eddy ITA Ensemble
25 Aug '25 to 06 Jun '26
Édouard Louis took the world by storm with his successful autobiographical novel The End of Eddy. Without much frills, the novel tells the life story of a homosexual boy growing up in a homophobic environment.
Language NP Language no problem Time for Joy ITA Ensemble Theater Time for Joy
Close Time for Joy ITA Ensemble / Eline Arbo / Bianca van der Schoot
11 Sep '25 to 28 Sep '25
Time for Joy is a comedic, sometimes absurdist, yet deeply emotional play that gently compels us to reflect on who we are to one another, on loneliness, loss, and our relentless pursuit of happiness.
Language NP Language no problem De seizoenen Het Nationale Theater / Eric de Vroedt Theater De seizoenen
Close De seizoenen Het Nationale Theater / Eric de Vroedt
03 Oct '25 to 05 Oct '25
Experience an all-inclusive theater journey that takes you through all four seasons over seven immersive hours. Enjoy seasonal side dishes and drinks, all included with your ticket.
Language NP Language no problem Minor Music at the End of the World by Saidiya Hartman Hartwig Art Foundation / Directed by Sarah Benson featuring André Holland, Okwui Okpokwasili and film by Arthur Jafa Theater Minor Music at the End of the World by Saidiya Hartman
Close Minor Music at the End of the World by Saidiya Hartman Hartwig Art Foundation / Directed by Sarah Benson featuring André Holland, Okwui Okpokwasili and film by Arthur Jafa
03 Oct '25 to 05 Oct '25
Minor Music at the End of the World is a performance in three movements based on Saidiya Hartman’s acclaimed essays, The End of White Supremacy: An American Romance and Litany for Grieving Sisters.
Language NP Language no problem The Laws ITA Ensemble Theater The Laws
Close The Laws ITA Ensemble
09 Oct '25 to 23 Nov '25
Who are you without someone else? In The Laws, based on the novel by Connie Palmen, director Eline Arbo takes you on the journey of a woman in search of herself.
Language NP Language no problem Phaedra in vlammen Het Nationale Theater / Ola Mafaalani Theater Phaedra in vlammen
Close Phaedra in vlammen Het Nationale Theater / Ola Mafaalani
11 Oct '25 to 12 Oct '25
Phaedra in vlammen is a modern take on the classic love tragedy Phaedra. How can a woman fight for her own freedom in a man's world?
Language NP Language no problem Kantjil en de Tijger (8+) Toneelmakerij / Oorkaan / Paul Knieriem theater-familie Kantjil en de Tijger (8+)
Close Kantjil en de Tijger (8+) Toneelmakerij / Oorkaan / Paul Knieriem
17 Oct '25 to 28 Dec '25
Musical youth performance about a hidden Indian family history
Language NP Language no problem Confrontaties (14+) Theater Utrecht / DOX / Casper Vandeputte Theater Confrontaties (14+)
Close Confrontaties (14+) Theater Utrecht / DOX / Casper Vandeputte
27 Oct '25 to 28 Oct '25
The musical, energetic, and heart-stealing theatre adaptation of the award-winning novel Confrontations by Simone Atangana Bekono (Best Book for Young Adults 2021).
Language NP Language no problem Prophet Song ITA Ensemble Theater Prophet Song
Close Prophet Song ITA Ensemble
12 Nov '25 to 22 Jan '26
Prophet Song unfolds in a chilling and not-so-distant future. When a right-wing, democratically elected regime rises to power, the rule of law begins to erode, and democracy slowly unravels. In the grip of a tightening reality, a mother fights desperately to protect her four children.
Language NP Language no problem Primeval and Other Times ITA Ensemble Theater Primeval and Other Times
Close Primeval and Other Times ITA Ensemble
05 Dec '25 to 21 Dec '25
Guy Cassiers, together with Hotel Modern and 11 actors from the ensemble, creates the world of Primeval and Other Times.
Language NP Language no problem Wie is er bang voor Sylvana Raymi Sambo Maakt Theater Wie is er bang voor Sylvana
Close Wie is er bang voor Sylvana Raymi Sambo Maakt
13 Dec '25 to 14 Dec '25
Wie is er bang voor Sylvana is a political thriller about courage, identity, and truth.
Language NP Language no problem HOPE NITE / Thalia Theater / Guy Weizman Theater HOPE
Close HOPE NITE / Thalia Theater / Guy Weizman
19 Dec '25 to 21 Dec '25
A play that focuses on the timeless struggle for justice and equality.
Language NP Language no problem Not Quichot Het Zuidelijk Toneel / Sarah Moeremans Theater Not Quichot
Close Not Quichot Het Zuidelijk Toneel / Sarah Moeremans
03 Jan '26
In Not Quichot, six storytellers remember their good friend Q, but who was Q's best friend? Through bold tales, they take you on their adventures with Q across Europe.
Language NP Language no problem Moeder van Europa Orkater Music Theater Moeder van Europa
Close Moeder van Europa Orkater
12 Feb '26 to 25 Mar '26
Mother of Europe is a story about the capriciousness of power. It is about the struggle to be part of the status quo and to make all voices heard in historical narratives.
Language NP Language no problem Giovanni's Room
ITA Ensemble Theater Giovanni's Room
Close Giovanni's Room ITA Ensemble / Eline Arbo
15 Feb '26 to 01 Mar '26
Director Eline Arbo adapts James Baldwin's timeless classic for the stage. A music filled performance about love, identity, and the fear of being oneself.
Language NP Language no problem Copenhagen Trilogy ITA Ensemble Theater Copenhagen Trilogy
Close Copenhagen Trilogy ITA Ensemble / Eline Arbo
04 Mar '26 to 22 Mar '26
A powerful portrait of a woman’s journey through class, identity, art, passion, love, and self-destruction.
Language NP Language no problem Giovanni's Room
on Tour
ITA Ensemble Theater Giovanni's Room
Close Giovanni's Room ITA Ensemble / Eline Arbo
06 Mar '26 to 08 Mar '26
Director Eline Arbo adapts James Baldwin's timeless classic for the stage. A music filled performance about love, identity, and the fear of being oneself.
Language NP Language no problem Gundhi De Warme Winkel Theater Gundhi
Close Gundhi De Warme Winkel
18 Mar '26 to 30 Apr '26
Theater that holds you hostage for hours with imagination and overwhelms you with violent text-based drama, only to leave you mentally liberated and physically purified, ready to face 21st-century life once again.