Elden – A historical play at world heritage site of Røros

In 1718 the swedish king, Charles XII, died in an attack on Norway. In the meantime his carolean army had failed to conquer the city of Trondheim further north. When they found out the king was dead the caroleans took the shortest way back to Sweden. But it was midwinter and more than 3000 swedish soldiers died in a winter storm. Almost no one made it back to Sweden.

In January I saw a theater about this tragic event, played outdoors at the actual place, in Tydal. Of which I made a post that time: Karolinerspelet – Shooting in a blizzard. A couple of weeks ago I saw another theater version of this play from the Great Nordern War. This time set at the fabulous old mining town of Røros, which is a Unesco World Heritage.

It was only a small group of Swedish soldiers who went to Røros, the main army went in another direction. But the town have made a big event with this play, that is seen by almost 10.000 people every summer. It’s about looting in a small community, despair, hatred and love, life and death. And it is very well done and with great music. Absolutely impressive.

General De la Barre played by singer and actor Stephen Brandt-Hanssen.

General Armfeldt played by Jo Bjørnar Haugom.

Evy Kasseth Røsten as Kristine, a young local who fell in love with a swedish soldier and have to betray him.

Unni Ryen as Maren, and Arnfinn Strømmevold as swedish soldier, a carolean. Strømmevold is also one of the two musicians who wrote the play in 1980.

Reindeer herders from the sami people lived in the mountains surrounding Røros then, and they still do. For the first time the story teller in the play was played by a sami, by Mads André Malum.

Earlier posts about The Carolean Death March: Shooting in a blizzard – Karolinerspelet.

From Karolinerspelet 2005 and 2008: Karolinerspelet – 3000 soldiers froze to death in new year 1719.

Elden 2012 photo gallery.

Karolinerspelet 2012 photo gallery.

Karolinerspelet 2008 photo gallery. And Karolinerspelet 2005 photo gallery.