The Telling Theatre

The Telling Theatre is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The company is founded in 1996 by artistic director Jesper la Cour. It’s a touring theatre company performing for children, youth and adults. We have received several awards for our innovative work and unusual expression.

Our special qualities are simplicity, presence and dialog. Through interaction, validity and a sense of humour the stories are given a special touch that makes every performance unique.

We do two performances in English: Beowulf and Ye Gods. During the past 16 years we have produced ten performances, played more than 1700 performances for about 160.000 kids and 16.000 adults. We have performed all over Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany and in English in Ireland, Northern Ireland, India, Tanzania, Russia, England, Bulgaria, Italy, USA and Canada.

Beowulf

Vitality, presence and engagement. A prize performance.

Imagine how you would feel if you where the King of Denmark in the 7th century with gold, glory and a big reputation. Your only problem was a 500 pound ugly and fetid troll, named Grendel, killing your men at random.

Maybe you would call it a true nightmare, but storytellers 1300 years later call it the magnificent beginning of a great story.

Sitting face to face around the Viking ship, the distance between the action and the audience is minimal – you feel like you take part in the thrilling tale – and who knows, maybe suddenly you do?

On stage
Jesper la Cour and Troels Kirk Ejsing

Behind stage
Idea, direction and translation: Jesper la Cour
Music: Troels Kirk Ejsing
Costume: Charlotte Østergaard
Photos: Simon Jeppesen
Layout: Jens Raadal

Technical rider
Minimum stage area: 3,5 x 8 meters
Minimum room dimensions: 10 x 12 meters (includes seating)
Seating: 5-7 rows on two sides. The audience facing each other. 100-150 spectators
Drapes: The venue provides two 2 x 3,5 meters black drapes.
Lighting: The venue will provide the nessessary light to cover the stage area. 6-8 fresnels or PC’s is needed for this. It’s a fixed lightset. No light changes.
The room needs to be 90-100% dark. No direct sunlight.

Ye Gods!

Simplicity, presence and dialogue

Age group: from 10 years
Duration: 50-55 minutes
Language: English

Language: English

Experience the mighty God of War in action, the Trickster God asking for good ideas and the Goddess of Love get enough. See a huge Stallion helping a gnome of a Master Builder. Hold on when Thor gets back and hear that Freja is going to be married. Don’t get scared when a Mare gives birth to a strange foal.

It’s theatrical storytelling of high carat when Jesper la Cour playing 11 roles brings us with great presence safely through the intrigues of the world of the Nordic Gods and gives us an experience beyond the usual.

On stage:
Jesper la Cour

Behind stage:
Idea and direction: Jesper la Cour
Costume: Charlotte Østergård
Photos: Simon Jeppesen
Layout: Jens Raadal

Technical rider
Minimum stage area: 4 x 5 meters
Drape: the venue provide a 3,5 x 4,5 black drape as background
Minimum room dimentions: 10 x 8 meters (includes seating)
Seating: 3-7 rows in a half circle for 60-150 spectators
Lighting: the venue will provide the nessessary light to cover the stage area. 4-6 fresnels or PC’s is needed for this. It’s a fixed lightset. No light changes.
The room needs to be 90-100% dark. No direct sunlight.