Thriving Theater Scene of High Quality
- Marion Solheim
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Nothing is left to chance when children, teenagers, and adults from Nordøyane take the stage. Productions like The Lion King, Annie, and Oliver Twist are just a few of the performances that passionate theater enthusiasts have brought to life. It all happens on the stage at Flemsøya/Skuløya.
-It is incredibly rewarding and inspiring to work with young people. To see them grow and shine on stage, says Linda Nogva Vedeld, the creative leader and driving force behind the theater scene in Nordøyane.
Linda has dedicated thousands of hours of her free time to creating top-tier productions. The work involves planning, rehearsals, costume design and sewing, set design, props, lighting, sound, choreography. And, of course, endless rehearsing with the actors.
-Yes, it takes a lot of time, she laughs. There is no doubt that Linda is a true enthusiast.
-You end up spending all of Easter and every free day for a while sewing princess dresses for a production, for instance. But the whole process is just so much fun. You're constantly learning, evolving, and being part of a creative community. We focus a lot on reuse. For example, we can transform old curtains into the most stunning costumes. There's always something new to create and learn, and it's an endless source of inspiration.
A Longstanding Theater Tradition
Theater is often associated with city life. But not on Nordøyane. As early as the 19th century, local adults were performing plays in the hamlet of Rogne on Flemsøya/Skuløya. In 1891, the local youth organization Fram was founded, making it one of Norway’s oldest youth associations. Later, the community built the Framtun youth center, which was completed just before Christmas in 1959. From the beginning, Framtun has served as the main stage for local theater groups, and it remains so today. However, the venue has since been expanded, with a larger stage and increased capacity; now it’s accommodating around 200 spectators when the curtain rises.
So it all started with a handful of theater-loving islanders long, long ago. Over time, it has grown into something much bigger, and today, people from all of the Nordøyane community takes part in the fun.
-My dad has been involved for as long as I can remember, and he still is. I grew up in this theater environment, and as an adult, it was one of the reasons I decided to move back home, Linda says.
-Also, my mom is one of my greatest supporters and helpers when it comes to costume-making. We work so well together and let the ideas flow freely. The theatre stage unites the generations, you might say. So, when my generation had children of our own, they naturally became part of it too. All four of my sons have participated and truly enjoy it.
This is no small endeavor. The theater group takes on really ambitious productions. In recent years, they have staged musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, Annie, The Jungle Book, Aladdin, Oliver Twist, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King.
High Quality and Learning Across Generations
The youth organization Fram has three theater groups: a children's group, a youth group, and an adult group. The children's group consists of around 40 kids, while nearly 50 young actors make up the youth group. The number of adults varies depending on the production.
A tremendous amount of time and effort goes into preparing each play. Nothing is done halfway!
-There’s great value in setting high ambitions and doing things properly, says Linda.
-I believe this is an important lesson for young people, and every production is built on solid craftsmanship. It’s wonderful to see my father, who is still actively working on set design, passing his knowledge down to the younger generation. Watching experienced hands teach new talent how to do things properly is truly rewarding. And, of course, it’s a social thing for everyone involved!
Want to know more about the island of Flemsøya/Skuløya? Read here!
That social aspect is just as evident when a group of skilled grandmothers gathers to sew costumes, passing their expertise down to the younger members.
The result? High-quality productions at every level.
-Every now and then, I get a text message from young adults who have moved on and gone to audition elsewhere. Often, it’s only when they experience other stages that they realize just how high the quality is here. When they send me a message to say that, it’s incredibly rewarding. And a big part of what keeps me going, Linda says with a smile.
Social and Inclusive
Being part of a community is important, and the theater groups on Flemsøya/Skuløya excel at just that. But young and old actors across Nordøyane gain something even more valuable along the way, Linda explains.
-These kids and teenagers learn that their job is to lift each other up. They’re a team, and every role matters just as much as the next. They also learn to let loose and not take themselves too seriously. It’s completely okay to look a little silly, standing there in some costume and delivering lines like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
And the effects reach beyond the stage.
-We see it outside of the theater too. These young people are confident, they accept each other, and they embrace differences. That’s something we often get feedback on.
But don’t you have to be an extroverted child or teen to get up on stage? Not at all, says Linda.
-Think about the courage it takes to stand up there, speaking and singing in front of an audience! These kids trust each other, and while there’s plenty of excitement and nerves involved -after all, it’s not an everyday thing- they take the leap together. That kind of shared experience builds an incredible bond. This year, for example, a group of boys will be singing an a-cappella harmony piece. It takes some guts, and I believe the kids grow from these experiences.
Magical Moments Built on Community Spirit
New worlds of music, costumes, colors, dance, and stage design constantly come to life on the stage at Framtun. Many people pour their hearts and souls into these productions, performed for packed audiences. (Sometimes, they even take their shows on the road.) And behind it all? Pure volunteer work and teamwork.
There are regular performances every Christmas, Easter, and Midsummer. On stage, children and teenagers shine, and some adults too. It’s kind of magic, really.
-The final performance of a production? The tears always come, says Linda.
The theater community on Nordøyane never takes the easy route. They go all in. Along the way, they build friendships, learn craftsmanship, have fun, and push their own boundaries. The result is something to be truly proud of.
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