Apestjernen

Imagine suddenly having a gorilla as a mother!

Nine-year-old Jonna has always dreamed of having a mother. One day, an old, dirty Volvo pulls up in front of the orphanage where she lives – and a gorilla gets out of the car. She wants to adopt Jonna, but Jonna is a little unsure. What is it really like to have a big, disheveled and wild gorilla for a mother? And what if it's true what they say – that gorillas eat small children?!

Bring the kids and do something fun together when the Riksteatret visits the cultural center with the theater version of Frida Nilsson's surprising, funny and touching children's book – a warm story about family happiness that occurs when you least expect it. No two families are the same.

In the lead role as Jonna, you will meet Ina Svenningdal (from NRK's ​​"Linus i svingen" and "Skam") in a playful and colorful performance with funny characters and songs that you can easily get into your head.

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What was said about the book:

"In class with Astrid Lindgren ... a warm fairy tale about generous and unusual parental love."
Aftenposten

"A great guiding star ... timeless qualities that are equally suitable for our time."
Barnebokkritikk.no

"Like Astrid Lindgren, Frida Nilsson is faithful to the child's gaze"
NRK

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PS! If a gorilla should appear in your life in an ugly car: Take the chance! Things are not always as they seem.

Suitable for children from 5 years.

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On stage
Ina Svenningdal, Marte Stolp, Karianna Sommerro, Mailin Moon Lee Øgrim, John Hagen, Nils Oortwijn and Herman Hilde Pedersen

Team
Playwright: Jenny Svensson. Director and choreographer: Jakob Höglund. Set and puppet designer: Heini Maaranen. Costume designer: Heidi Wikar. Lighting designer: William Iles. Composer and sound designer: Stefan Johansson. Dramaturg and prompter: Christina Smeby. Artistic advisor: Grethe Henden. Producer: Silje Vigerust Vinjar

By Frida Nilsson. Dramatized by Jenny Svensson.

Performance length: 2 hours (including intermission).

World premiere: Oslo / Nydalen 8 Oct 2026

Tour premiere: Kristiansund 14 Oct 2026

Produced by the National Theatre.

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The National Theatre's review of Apestjernen: https://www.riksteatret.no/apestjernen