Teater Bislett

Teater Bislett is a non-profit venture set up to make good, short-travelled theatre and cultural experiences in the St. Hanshaugen district of Oslo — a local alternative to the big national institutions, with very little distance between stage and audience. It plays in the church building of Oslo Vestre Frikirke at Pilestredet 69, right by the Bislett roundabout. Harald Aars, the architect behind Bislett Bad, drew the building, and it was taken into use in 1920; the collaboration with the congregation opens its small, handsome church room to a far wider audience. The room is described as ceremonious but relaxed and informal, and it suits actors, musicians and other performers seen close up. Teater Bislett AS is organised as a non-profit limited company: no dividend may be taken out and any surplus goes back into making cultural experiences. It was started by the actor Morten M. Faldaas and the director Eirik N. Brøyn, both trained at Statens Teaterhøgskole, and runs on unpaid effort and ticket income, with no public funding so far. There is no food or drink service at events; the theatre points audiences to the cafés and bars nearby. Tickets are sold through TicketCo or by Vipps at the door. Recent bills include a concert with Brynjulf Bjørklid and Jan Erik Vold with Knut Reiersrud performing Terje Vigen.