Norway Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: WICKED at Folketeatret
by Christian Ranke - March 07, 2025

What did our critic think of WICKED at Folketeatret?...

Review: MAMMA MIA! INTERNATIONAL TOUR at Oslo Spektrum
by Christian Ranke - February 21, 2025

What did our critic think of MAMMA MIA! INTERNATIONAL TOUR at Oslo Spektrum?...

Review: PETER PAN GOES WRONG at Chateau Neuf
by Christian Ranke - February 03, 2025

What did our critic think of PETER PAN GOES WRONG at Chateau Neuf?If you’ve ever witnessed a school play (or YouTube-clips) that was teetering on the brink of disaster, with forgotten lines, collapsing props, and one unfortunate child stuck in a tree costume, Peter Pan Goes Wrong is essentially that...

Review: LES MISÉRABLES - ARENA WORLD TOUR at Oslo Spektrum
by Christian Ranke - December 06, 2024

The Arena World Tour of Les Misérables delivers an experience that is as powerful as it is visually arresting, showcasing a stellar cast, impressive set design, and evocative lighting. While there are some challenges in terms of the performance format and staging, the level of talent on display is u...

Review: YOU RAISE ME UP at Lillestrøm Kultursenter
by Christian Ranke - September 14, 2024

This jukebox musical strikes a delicate balance between humor, drama, and emotion, making effective use of Rolf Løvland’s music to support its themes. The combination of Løvland’s stirring compositions and the show’s engaging characters ensures that the audience leaves with both laughter and tears....

Review: THE BODYGUARD at Chateau Neuf
by Christian Ranke - September 05, 2024

Bodyguard: The Musical is real crowd-pleaser! And the most pleasing aspects are Mimmi Tamba, Anna-Lisa Kumoji and the very talented ensemble. If you’re a fan of Whitney Houston's music or looking for a night of big performances and visual flair, 'The Bodyguard' is a solid choice, though purists of t...

Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Folketeatret
by Christian Ranke - August 31, 2024

Folketeateret’s new production of Jesus Christ Superstar set out to offer a fresh take on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved rock opera, but it felt more like a retread of concepts that had become borderline clichés. Most of the lead actors cannot handle Llloyd Webber's score amd the use of ...

Review: WATERLOO - WE LOVE ABBA at Christiania Teater
by Christian Ranke - August 29, 2024

ABBA's music is a cultural phenomenon that has stood the test of time, resonating with audiences across the globe for decades. Known for their catchy melodies, unforgettable lyrics, and vibrant performances, the Swedish pop sensation continues to captivate both long-time fans and new generations ali...

Review: DET BRENNER EN ILD at Gamle Fredrikstad, Artilleriplassen
by Christian Ranke - August 25, 2024

What did our critic think of DET BRENDET BRENNER EN ILD is a musical that brings the life of Hans Nielsen Hauge, the Norwegian lay preacher and reformer, to the stage. Set in a stunning natural environment that complements the historical narrative, the production delivers a blend of strong performan...

Review: HAVET at Hjertnes Kulturhus
by Christian Ranke - July 11, 2024

New original musicals are a rare commodity in Norway. Especially musicals not based on books, movies, TV series and other aspects of popular culture. So when I learned that Dorina Marie Iversen and Tonga Productions had decided to develop a new musical about people who either worked with or were aff...

Review: ATTENTION DANCE COMPANY 'WHAT IS JAZZ' at Christiania Theater
by Christian Ranke - July 03, 2024

The newly founded dance group 'Attention' took the stage at Christiania Theatre in Oslo with their debut performance, 'What is Jazz,' and left the audience yearning for more. The show, a vibrant tribute to the art of jazz dance, featured thirteen dance numbers and seven of them were tributes legenda...

Review: RAIN MAN At Christiania Theater
by Christian Ranke - January 31, 2024

Seldom does a theatrical production completely immerse its audience in a cocoon of emotions, distancing them from the complexities of their own lives for a captivating two and a half hours, as Rain Man achieved at Christiania Teater. The exceptional cast deservedly received one of the quickest stand...

Review: K FOR KONGSVIK at Latter
by Christian Ranke - January 26, 2024

Lene Kongsvik is back with her new solo show 'K for Kongsvik' where the talented comedian/actress has used her own written encyclopedia from elementary school as a basis to show a wide range of both new mixed with well-known characters that define both the extreme and diverse types of personalites....

Review: ANNIE at Folketeatret
by Christian Ranke - November 24, 2023

The iconic red curls and indomitable spirit of little orphan Annie once again graced the Norwegian stage in a heart-warming production that captured the essence of optimism and resilience. The latest rendition of 'Annie' at the Folketeatret proved to be a delightful and nostalgic journey for both lo...

Review: MOULIN ROUGE at Chateau Neuf
by Christian Ranke - November 17, 2023

For those who revel in the nightlife, take note that the Chateau Neuf has undergone a lavish transformation into a pleasure palace where indulgence reigns without the consequences of hangovers. It is within this opulent setting that the exhilarating 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' premiered on the 30th ...

Review: A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 at Christiania Theater
by Christian Ranke - November 01, 2023

When it was announced that the next big production at Christiania theater would be a play with the nifty title 'Et dukkehjem 2 (A Doll's House, Part 2)' I didn't know what to think. I had next to no knowledge of the piece, other than it was a Broadway play which ran during the 2017 season. Was it a ...

Review: MISS SAIGON at Folketeatret
by Christian Ranke - September 02, 2023

For many years, Miss Saigon was celebrated as a masterful work of musical theater. However, it has faced its fair share of criticism for its alleged 'political incorrectness' issues since its revival in the West End and on Broadway a few years ago. ...

Review: WE WILL ROCK YOU at Oslo Spektrum
by Christian Ranke - March 20, 2023

What did our critic think of WE WILL ROCK YOU at Oslo Spektrum?...

Review: ET GLASS TIL Opens at Christiania Theater
by Christian Ranke - January 16, 2023

Read BroadwayWorld's review of 'Et glass til', the theatrical adaptation of Oscar-winning Danish film 'Druk' at Christiania Teater....

Review: SISTER ACT at Chateau Neuf, Oslo
by Christian Ranke - September 18, 2022

'Sister Act - The Musical' based on the 1992 movie has landed in Oslo. 'Sister Act,' which opened last night. While the original creatives is only partly successful in adapting the 1992 movie to the stage, it is a feel-good crowd-pleaser worth seeing....

Review: MATILDA at Folketeateret
by Christian Ranke - September 10, 2022

'Matilda - the musical' has wit, intelligence, heart and soul. To see this again in its Norwegian incarnation is, as the opening song says 'A miracle'. Many young stars were born yesterday at Folketeatret in Oslo....

Review: KRISTIN LAVRANSDATTER at Akershus Festning / Karpedammen
by Christian Ranke - August 23, 2022

There is much to love about this show. While this is an epic set in 14th century Norway, a lot of what is depicted rings just as true today. Choosing who to love, the bonds family holds, love, hope and despair. It's all there. While this musical is far from perfect, it has beautiful melodies and lyr...

Review: FANNY UND ALEXANDER – Original Cast Recording – Haunting Adaptation of Bergman's Classic Movie!
by Christian Ranke - June 14, 2022

Fanny & Alexander was originally slated to open a few years ago, but then the pandemic happened and put all plans on hold, but it finally opened earlier this year. I had the pleasure of witnessing a workshop in Norway back in 2018, so I was eagerly awaiting listening to the end result and it did not...

BWW Review: INTO THE WOODS at Det Norske Teatret – Not Totally Happily Ever After
by Christian Ranke - April 05, 2022

Heidi Gjermundsen Brock gives a smashing performance as the witch in Stephen Sondheim's 'Into the Woods'. While the production is musically impressive this production is sadly underwhelming....

BWW Review: THE FULL MONTY at Sarpborg Scene – 'Bares' it All and Suceeds
by Christian Ranke - March 17, 2022

The Full Monty is curious musical. While being essentially a raunchy comedy about six guys who decides to become strippers to escape unemployment and economical despair, it also have the potential to be deeply moving. When done right! And this new production presented in Sarpsborg has done just that...