Björngårdsteatern
Encyclopedia
Björngårdsteatern, also called Christian Thums Commedi-huus (The Comedy-house of Christian Thum) and Theums Spelehus (Theum's Play-house), was an old Swedish theatre
in Stockholm
, active between 1640 and 1655. It was possibly the oldest theatre in Scandinavia
, but the information about it is incomplete.
Christian Thum l. Theum (d. 1655), leader for a travelling theatre troupe from Germany which had performed in Sweden since 1628, and also played comedies for the court, was given permission to play theatre in the building Björnegården, which he had recently bought. The name of the property meant "The Bear's yard", and it was located in Södermalm
at St Paulsgatan and Björnegårdsgatan; it had previously been used as a local for bear
-bait
ing.
Little is known about the theatrical activity at the "Bear Yard theatre"; if Theum actually used his privilege and, if he did, in what form. In some form, however, there was a theatrical activity there until the death of Theum in 1655. If the performances was made by professional actors or if they were made by amateurs, who did not make a living at being actors, remains uncertain. Some sources say, that plays were performed by craftsmen.
It is known that the house functioned as an inn, a function which it continued to fill; Björnegården was one of the Stockholm's most well known inn's until the building was torn down in 1877.
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, active between 1640 and 1655. It was possibly the oldest theatre in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, but the information about it is incomplete.
History
In 1637 or 1640, the GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Christian Thum l. Theum (d. 1655), leader for a travelling theatre troupe from Germany which had performed in Sweden since 1628, and also played comedies for the court, was given permission to play theatre in the building Björnegården, which he had recently bought. The name of the property meant "The Bear's yard", and it was located in Södermalm
Södermalm
Södermalm, often shortened to "Söder", is a district in central Stockholm. It covers the large island formerly called "Åsön". With a population of 99,685, it is one of the most densely populated districts of Scandinavia...
at St Paulsgatan and Björnegårdsgatan; it had previously been used as a local for bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
-bait
Bait (luring substance)
Bait is any substance used to attract prey, e.g. in a mousetrap.-In Australia:Baiting in Australia refers to specific campaigns to control foxes, wild dogs and dingos by poisoning in areas where they are a problem...
ing.
Little is known about the theatrical activity at the "Bear Yard theatre"; if Theum actually used his privilege and, if he did, in what form. In some form, however, there was a theatrical activity there until the death of Theum in 1655. If the performances was made by professional actors or if they were made by amateurs, who did not make a living at being actors, remains uncertain. Some sources say, that plays were performed by craftsmen.
It is known that the house functioned as an inn, a function which it continued to fill; Björnegården was one of the Stockholm's most well known inn's until the building was torn down in 1877.
See also
- BollhusetBollhusetBollhuset, also called ', ', and ' at various times, was the name of the first theater in Stockholm, Sweden; it was the first Swedish theater and the first real theater building in the whole of Scandinavia. The name "" means "The Ball House", and it was built in 1627 for ball sports and used in...
- Margareta SeuerlingMargareta SeuerlingMargareta Seuerling, née Lindahl, , was a Swedish actress and Theatre director in a travelling theatre company, perhaps the most known travelling actress of her time in Scandinavia, active in both Sweden and Finland...
- Stenborg TroupeStenborg TroupeThe Stenborg troupe was a Swedish Theatre Comedy troupe, active in Sweden and Finland in the 18th century. It was also called Stenborgska skådebanorna , Svenska komeditruppen and Svenska Comedien or Svenska Teatern...
- ComediehusetComediehusetComediehuset or Sillgateteatern was a Swedish theatre, the first real Public theatre in Gothenburg. It was located at the corner of Sillgatan, the Herring-street and Nedre Kvarnbergsgatan and active from 1779 to the 1830s...
- Stenborg theatreStenborg TheatreThe Stenborg theatre, also called Svenska Komiska Teatern, Komiska Teatern and Munkbroteatern, was a historical Swedish 18th century theatre, active between 1784 and 1799 in Gamla stan in Stockholm. It was the second theatre of Stockholm during the Gustavian age...
- LejonkulanLejonkulanLejonkulan , was a historical theatre in Stockholm, Sweden, active 1667-89. It is mentioned in history as the first theatre in Sweden. In 1686, it was the place of the first Swedish Theatre.- History :...