Human Zoo is a performance about the abuses of colonialism. We follow a Sami family's journey from open spaces to fenced-in areas. On 23 October, you can experience the performance at the Centre for Northern Peoples.
What: Teáhter - Human Zoo
Who: The Sami National Theatre Beaivváš
When: 23 October
Where: Centre for Northern Peoples, Kultursalen
Time: 7.00 pm
Ticket price: Adult: 220,-, Child: 160,-, Student/honourary: 160,-
Stage language: Northern Sami, subtitled in Norwegian and Finnish.
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From the beginning of the 19th century until well into the 20th century, selected tribes and indigenous peoples, including the Sami, were sent on tour in Europe and the USA. Dressed in traditional clothing, with lavvos and reindeer, they were exhibited in zoos for curious onlookers.
In Human Zoo, we follow a Sami family's journey from open spaces to fenced-in areas, which are becoming increasingly cramped. The relationship between mum and dad is deteriorating. Grandma has started coughing dangerously much. The older sister is bothered by the stares of onlookers. And the little sister is asking questions that adults find difficult to answer.
The narrower the space outside becomes, the clearer the friction between family members becomes.
The production is a historic co-production between the Sami National Theatre Beaivváš and the National Theatre. “Human Zoo” is written by the award-winning writer and playwright Kathrine Nedrejord, who is currently resident playwright at the National Theatre.
- Author: Kathrine Nedrejord
- Director, set designer and costume design: Bård Lie Thorbjørnsen
- Lighting design: Steinar Lohne
- Composer: Roger Ludvigsen
- Costume designer: Ann Majbritt Eriksen
- Prop maker: Gerlinde Thiessen
- Actors: Nils Henrik Buljo, Eila Ballovara Varsi, Anitta Suikkari, Mary Sarre, Marte Fjellheim Sarre
More about the performance Human Zoo, beaivvas.no
Her relatives were exhibited in zoos because they were Sami, NRK