Det Ny Theater
Encyclopedia
Det Ny Teater is an established theatre
in Copenhagen
, Denmark
, first opened in 1908. It is based in a building which spans a passage between Vesterbrogade
and Gammel Kongevej in Copenhagen's theatre district on the border between Vesterbro and Frederiksberg
.
With more than 12,000 m2 it is one of Denmark's largest theaters. It has two stages, the main auditorium which seats more than 1,000 and Sceneriet, a smaller theatre established in the cellar in 1994.
in the project as artistic consultant, he had been resident actor and director at Folketeatret
but resigned after a fashionable controversy with its director, and in 1906 the company applied the Ministry of Justice
for a license for the theatre's operation. The application was initially rejected by Peter Adler Alberti, the minister og Justice, supposedly due to a link with Folketeatret's director, but after personal intervention from King Frederik, the license was finally granted.
In March 1907, Bona commissioned the architect Lorenz Gudme to draw up a project. He had previously worked for Ove Petersen, who was responsible for both the Royal Theatre
, in collaboration with Vilhelm Dahlerup
, and the Dagmar Theatre. His proposal was accepted and the fundaments were laid on 14 August 1907. Shortly after construction start, a disagreement occurred between Bona and Gudme who was ultimately fired from the project which was instead completed by Ludvig Andersen. When the theatre was inaugurated on 19 September 1908
it was the second largest theatre in the country and the construction price had been approx. DKK 1,200,000 and DKK 600,000 for the site.
, Asta Nielsen
and Clara Wieth, became examplar of the repertoire during the first three decades.
Lindstrøm himself left the theatre after just three years due to an insignificant debts. He was succeeded in the post by the actor Ivar Schmidt (1869–1940) who held the post from 1911 to 1937, accompanied by actors such as Else-Marie, Berthe Qvistgaard
, Ellen Gottschalch
, Ib Schønberg
and Osvald Helmuth
.
as the leading theatrical stage in Denmark.
This marked the beginning of a crisis for the theatre which reflected the general adversities for the industry and, in 1976, led to the introduction of a general regime for subsidizing theatrical productions. In 1991, when the theatre, by then in a poor state of neglect, lost its support and had to close indefinitely.
Ejerne skaffede imidlertid penge til en grundig renovering. Bent Mejding var den drivende kraft bag restaureringen af teatret, som han sammen med Niels-Bo Valbro (f. 1956) genåbnede som operette- og musicalscene med Flagermusen i 1994. Hidtil største kunstneriske og publikumsmæssige succes var musicalen Phantom of the Opera af Andrew Lloyd Webber 2000-02.
was the driving force behind the restoration of the theater, which he and Niels-Bo Valbro (b. 1956) reopened as a venue for operetta and musicals with a production of The Bat
in 1994. Since then the theatre has produced a number of large productions, the most successful of which, artisticallyand audience-wise, have been Phantom of the Opera which ran from 2000 to 2002.
and Gammel Kongevej and has a facade front on both sides. The complex also includes the surrounding buildings.
The theatre is loosely moddeled on the Paris Opera
, but is built in a mixture of styles, combining elements such as classical trompe-l'œil effects and Greek capital
s side by side with art deco
features.
Built in reinforced concrete
, it was the first building in Denmark to use the Hennebique system
, due to added strength, allowed the theatre to be the first in Denmark to have balconies without supporting pillars. The theatre was also the first in Denmark to feature a revolving stage. Other state-of-the-art features were an advanced sprinkler system in case of fire on stage, showers installed for the actors on every floor. For the audience there were comfortable family boxes, an elegant marble staircase and a large inviting foyer. The renovation in 1994 received the Europa Nostra
award from the European Union
.
The theatre plays also host to a variety of other events and is available on hire.
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 Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, first opened in 1908. It is based in a building which spans a passage between Vesterbrogade
Vesterbrogade
Vesterbrogade is the main shopping street of the Vesterbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It extends west for 1.5 km from the Rådhuspladsen along the municipal border with Frederiksberg to Pile Allé where it turns into Roskildevej...
and Gammel Kongevej in Copenhagen's theatre district on the border between Vesterbro and Frederiksberg
Frederiksberg
Frederiksberg Kommune is a municipality on the island of Zealand in Denmark. It surrounded by the city of Copenhagen. The municipality, co-extensive with its seat, covers an area of and has a total population of 98,782 making it the smallest municipality in Denmark area-wise, the fifth most...
.
With more than 12,000 m2 it is one of Denmark's largest theaters. It has two stages, the main auditorium which seats more than 1,000 and Sceneriet, a smaller theatre established in the cellar in 1994.
Establishment
The site of the theatre, then a worn down apartment block, was in the spring of 1902 acquired by a development company, Bona, which had plans to build a large theatre theatre and in the same time to open a passage between Gammel Kongevej and the new Vesterbro Passage, now part of Vesterbrogade, which was the backbone in a westward expansion of Copenhagen's city centre. Bona engaged Viggo LindstrømViggo Lindstrøm
Viggo Lindstrøm was a Danish actor and theatre director, founder of Det Ny Teater in Copenhagen. He was married to the actress Vera Lindstrøm.-Biography:...
in the project as artistic consultant, he had been resident actor and director at Folketeatret
Folketeatret
Folketeatret is a theatre in Oslo, Norway. The building has existed longer than the theatre, and been used as a movie theatre and opera house....
but resigned after a fashionable controversy with its director, and in 1906 the company applied the Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice of Denmark
Ministry of Justice of Denmark is the Danish government ministry responsible for the general judicial system, including the police and the prosecution service, the courts of law, and prisons and the probation service...
for a license for the theatre's operation. The application was initially rejected by Peter Adler Alberti, the minister og Justice, supposedly due to a link with Folketeatret's director, but after personal intervention from King Frederik, the license was finally granted.
In March 1907, Bona commissioned the architect Lorenz Gudme to draw up a project. He had previously worked for Ove Petersen, who was responsible for both the Royal Theatre
Royal Theatre
There are several venues known by the name Royal Theatre or Royal Theater. They include:in Canada*Royal Theatre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canadain Denmark...
, in collaboration with Vilhelm Dahlerup
Vilhelm Dahlerup
Jens Vilhelm Dahlerup was a Danish architect who specialized in the Historicist style. One of the most productive and noted Danish architects of the 19th century, he is behind many of the most known buildings and landmarks of his time and has more than any other single architect contributed to the...
, and the Dagmar Theatre. His proposal was accepted and the fundaments were laid on 14 August 1907. Shortly after construction start, a disagreement occurred between Bona and Gudme who was ultimately fired from the project which was instead completed by Ludvig Andersen. When the theatre was inaugurated on 19 September 1908
1908 in Denmark
-Incumbents:* Monarch - HM Frederick VIII* Prime minister - J. C. Christensen , Niels Neergaard-Events:* June 14 – Gefion Fountain inaugurated at Langelinie in Copenhagen....
it was the second largest theatre in the country and the construction price had been approx. DKK 1,200,000 and DKK 600,000 for the site.
Opening and early years
Lindstrøm, who also was the theatre's first director, had declared himself willing to set up everything at his new theatre, the second largest in Copenhagen, but the opening performance, Pierre Berton's Den skønne Marseillanerinde, an extravaganza about Napoleon with a young cast featuring such later stars as Poul ReumertPoul Reumert
Poul Reumert was a Danish stage and film actor.-Filmography:* Afgrunden * Frøken Kirkemus * Søren Søndervold * Afsporet * Det brændende spørgsmål...
, Asta Nielsen
Asta Nielsen
Asta Nielsen , was a Danish silent film actress who was one of the most popular leading ladies of the 1910s and one of the first international movie stars. Seventy of Nielsen's 74 films were made in Germany where she was known simply as Die Asta...
and Clara Wieth, became examplar of the repertoire during the first three decades.
Lindstrøm himself left the theatre after just three years due to an insignificant debts. He was succeeded in the post by the actor Ivar Schmidt (1869–1940) who held the post from 1911 to 1937, accompanied by actors such as Else-Marie, Berthe Qvistgaard
Berthe Qvistgaard
Berthe Qvistgaard was a Danish stage and film actress, and winner of the prestigious Tagea Brandt Rejselegat award in 1965....
, Ellen Gottschalch
Ellen Gottschalch
Ellen Gottschalch , was a Danish stage and filmactress.She worked in the Arhus Theatre in 1911 then the Det Ny Theater in Copenhagen from 1912 to 1928...
, Ib Schønberg
Ib Schønberg
Ib Christian Albert von Cotta Schønberg was a Danish film actor, and is considered one of the leading actors of Danish film in the 20th century.-Early life:...
and Osvald Helmuth
Osvald Helmuth
Osvald Helmuth was a Danish stage and film actor and revue singer.-Biography:HIs career began in Randers in 1913, and he later appeared in the Nørrebro Teater in Copenhagen...
.
Change of repertoire
The director from 1944 to 1966 was Peer Gregaard and he dramatically changed the repertoire from with a combination of classics and contemporary Danish and European drama. During this era, Det Ny Teater came to challenge the Royal Danish TheatreRoyal Danish Theatre
The Royal Danish Theatre is both the national Danish performing arts institution and a name used to refer to its old purpose-built venue from 1874 located on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen. The theatre was founded in 1748, first serving as the theatre of the king, and then as the theatre of the...
as the leading theatrical stage in Denmark.
Adversities and closure
Im the 1960s it became evident that it was difficult to operate theatres without subsidies. The writer Knud Poulsen was appointed director in 1969 and by 1971 the theatre faced closure but was saved when the county and Ministry of Culture stepped in and compensated for reduced ticket prices.This marked the beginning of a crisis for the theatre which reflected the general adversities for the industry and, in 1976, led to the introduction of a general regime for subsidizing theatrical productions. In 1991, when the theatre, by then in a poor state of neglect, lost its support and had to close indefinitely.
Ejerne skaffede imidlertid penge til en grundig renovering. Bent Mejding var den drivende kraft bag restaureringen af teatret, som han sammen med Niels-Bo Valbro (f. 1956) genåbnede som operette- og musicalscene med Flagermusen i 1994. Hidtil største kunstneriske og publikumsmæssige succes var musicalen Phantom of the Opera af Andrew Lloyd Webber 2000-02.
Reopening and recent years
The owners succeeded in raising funds for a thorough renovation. Bent MejdingBent Mejding
Bent Mejding is a Danish actor. He won the Robert Award in 1985 and 2007. He is married to the actress Susse Wold.-References:* The Danish film institute....
was the driving force behind the restoration of the theater, which he and Niels-Bo Valbro (b. 1956) reopened as a venue for operetta and musicals with a production of The Bat
Die Fledermaus
Die Fledermaus is an operetta composed by Johann Strauss II to a German libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée.- Literary sources :...
in 1994. Since then the theatre has produced a number of large productions, the most successful of which, artisticallyand audience-wise, have been Phantom of the Opera which ran from 2000 to 2002.
Building
The theatre building spans a passage between VesterbrogadeVesterbrogade
Vesterbrogade is the main shopping street of the Vesterbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It extends west for 1.5 km from the Rådhuspladsen along the municipal border with Frederiksberg to Pile Allé where it turns into Roskildevej...
and Gammel Kongevej and has a facade front on both sides. The complex also includes the surrounding buildings.
The theatre is loosely moddeled on the Paris Opera
Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is the primary opera company of Paris, France. It was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV as the Académie d'Opéra and shortly thereafter was placed under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Lully and renamed the Académie Royale de Musique...
, but is built in a mixture of styles, combining elements such as classical trompe-l'œil effects and Greek capital
Capital (architecture)
In architecture the capital forms the topmost member of a column . It mediates between the column and the load thrusting down upon it, broadening the area of the column's supporting surface...
s side by side with art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
features.
Built in reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
, it was the first building in Denmark to use the Hennebique system
François Hennebique
François Hennebique was a French engineer and self-educated builder who patented his pioneering reinforced-concrete construction system in 1892, integrating separate elements of construction, such as the column and the beam, into a single monolithic element...
, due to added strength, allowed the theatre to be the first in Denmark to have balconies without supporting pillars. The theatre was also the first in Denmark to feature a revolving stage. Other state-of-the-art features were an advanced sprinkler system in case of fire on stage, showers installed for the actors on every floor. For the audience there were comfortable family boxes, an elegant marble staircase and a large inviting foyer. The renovation in 1994 received the Europa Nostra
Europa Nostra
Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, is the representative platform of 250 heritage NGOs active in 45 countries across Europe...
award from the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
Det Ny Teater today
Since the renovation, the theatre has two stages. The large auditorium seats app. 1,000 while the small one, built in the cellar in connection with the 1994 renovation, seats an audience of 250 to 300. The main repertoire is still musicals.The theatre plays also host to a variety of other events and is available on hire.