EXPLORING STAVANGER

We had a wonderful time in Norway when we toured there in 2006 with Tête à Tête’s Odysseus Unwound. Perhaps it was ambitious to plan as much education work on top of the performances but as always, the students inspired and uplifted us.

We were performing in Sandnes, travelling around the fjords very early in the mornings to find the schools we were working with each day, beautiful in the early light. We trekked up Preikestolen - The Pulpit Rock. Chris was brave enough to do some wild swimming in a lake half-way up the fjord, the rest of us standing on dry land applauding him.

Wonderful education chief Siri showed us around - giant boulders, forests, and trekking up to her mountain chalet set in stunning scenery where she treated us to lunch.

We would like to thank:

  • Bill Bankes-Jones, Anna Gregg and all at Tête à Tête for making the show, inviting us in, and trusting us with the education programme (it was CHROMA’s first show with them so something of a leap of faith. It must’ve gone OK though because Bill then asked us if we’d be Associate Ensemble with Tête à Tête - many, MANY adventures have been shared since!)

  • Julian Grant for the dots and Hattie Naylor for the scripts

  • all the students we worked with in Klepp, Sandnes and Vikeså, who not only produced such amazing music and drama in just a couple of hours, but did it all in their second language. 

  • the whole team at Stavanger 2008, particularly Mary Miller and Knut Nøst. 

  • the education chief for Stavanger 2008, Siri Malstrøm, who organised it all, looked after us so well and treated us to an unforgettable Sunday lunch in her mountain chalet.

  • the ever-friendly and helpful Sandnes Kulturhus team, particularly Per Harald, Ellen and Stian, who very kindly allowed the education team to rehearse at the Kulturhus while we waited for our flights. Just a couple of hours makes all the difference!

  • Back in the Odysseus Unwound company we would like to thank the knitters: Anne, Margaret, Margaret, Elizabeth and Jan, for their great moral support, and for offering to help with the schools sessions (gratis) if we needed them to.

  • …and to all the Odysseus Unwound company for being supportive and encouraging and for putting up with the education team being worn out when everyone else was ready to party!