03:08:38 – States of Emergency

Transiteatret-Bergen · Tore Vagn Lid

16–17 December 2026

Vega Scene

180–450 kr

Showings and tickets

Wednesday 16/12

19:00–22:00

Vega Scene

180–450 kr

Buy ticket

Thursday 17/12

19:00–22:00

Vega Scene

180–450 kr

Buy ticket

The sound of a state of emergency

“A composition capable of conveying the full resonance of dark and monstrous events.” (L’Oca Critica)

In an attempt to truly understand the state of exception as a political phenomenon through the lens of the 22 July 2011 terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya, Vagn Lid turns to an expanded form of music theatre. Traditional boundaries between science and art, theatre and music, classical and jazz, and stage and auditorium are transcended in a kind of music-dramaturgical Gesamtkunstwerk, with time itself at its centre.

Much has been said and written about Tore Vagn Lid and Transiteatret-Bergen’s celebrated “03.08.38 – Tilstander av unntak”, a monumental composition for theatre. The Norwegian Shakespeare Journal recently named it one of Norway’s most important productions of the past 25 years. In 2020, the production received the Hedda Award for Best Audiovisual Design, while Vagn Lid was honoured for Outstanding Artistic Achievement.

Now, as this staged composition returns to Oslo, the focus turns particularly to its musical dimensions. Vagn Lid’s arrangements of music by Franz Schubert and Renaissance composer Pierre de la Rue meet improvisation and experimental sound work. Among those on stage are trumpeter and singer Per Jørgensen, percussionist and composer Terje Isungset, and bassist Morten Skage – three distinctive musicians from the worlds of jazz and improvisation.

Presented in collaboration between Ultima, Riksteatret and Vega Scene.

Read press reviews at transiteatret.no