Imagine suddenly having a gorilla for a mum!
Nine-year-old Jonna has always dreamed of having a mum. One day, an old, dirty Volvo pulls up outside the children’s home 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, scruffy and wild gorilla for a mum? And what if what they say is true – that gorillas eat little children?!
Bring the children along and have some fun together when Riksteatret comes to the cultural centre with the stage adaptation of Frida Nilsson’s surprising, funny and moving children’s book – a warm story about family happiness that appears when you least expect it. No two families are alike.
In the leading role as Jonna, you’ll meet Ina Svenningdal (from NRK’s Linus i svingen and Skam) in a playful and colourful production featuring funny characters and songs that are easy to get stuck in your head.
PS! If a gorilla in an ugly car should ever turn up in your life: seize the opportunity! Things aren’t always what they seem.
Suitable for children aged 5 and over.
On stage
Ina Svenningdal, Marte Stolp, Karianna Sommerro, Mailin Moon Lee Øgrim, John Hagen, Nils Oortwijn and Herman Hilde Pedersen
Creative 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 adviser: Grethe Henden. Producer: Silje Vigerust Vinjar
By Frida Nilsson. Adapted for the stage by Jenny Svensson.
Running time: 2 hours, including an interval.
World premiere: Oslo / Nydalen, 8 October 2026
Tour premiere: Kristiansund, 14 October 2026
Produced by Riksteatret.
Riksteatret’s information about Apestjernen: Riksteatret – Apestjernen
