Theatre and shows

Despite the rise of internationally renowned playwrights such as Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson in the 19th century, the development of professional theatres started late in Norway. After the second world war, however, the Norwegian state saw arts and culture as increasingly important in regards to the rebuilding of the nation.

Today, Norway has a large offering of theatres and culture halls, both in the major cities and in the smaller towns. The high point in Norway’s commitment to arts and culture as of yet came in 2008, with the opening of the Norwegian Opera and Ballet in Bjørvika. With its ambitious marble and glass design, it was the largest cultural building to be built in Norway since the construction of the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim at the start of the 14th century.

Oslo has Nationaltheatret (The National Theatre) and Det Norske Teatret amongst others, but the theatre with the longest history is Den Nationale Scene in Bergen, founded in 1876.