Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone for helping to make my new life in Tromsø a thoroughly enjoyable experience! I am pleased to announce the birth of our first child, Heidi Ane Forrest, who was born on the 1st August 2005. Matthew and I are enjoying being new parents and although we are both tired and learning new things every day, it is an experience I will always treasure! My name is Jill Forrest and I am the instructor for Teater Aksen. I am an english theatre specialist, trained in physical, social and children's theatre. I graduated from London's Central School of Speech & Drama in 1996 with a bachelor degree in Drama, Education, Culture & Society. I then continued my studies at Liverpool University where I obtained a post-graduate diploma in Scriptwriting and Scriptediting. I also have an award in Stanislavski Method Acting, although my work leans towards a more abstract style of actor training.
In the Uk I have worked amongst professional and amateur theatres, historical organisations and ran my own successful theatre workshop. In Tromsø I also work with a variety of organisations, including Tromsø Barne og Ungdomsteater, 'Den Kulturelle Skolesekken', through Tromsdalen Kulturhus and run various specialist workshops at Rådstua Teaterhus and elsewhere.
Teater Aksen are by far the most professional amateur theatre group I have had the pleasure of working with, indeed, I am often guilty of forgetting they are an amateur group! The troop has a vast amount of talent and commitment.
We worked very physically during our first season, firstly as many of the members were new and secondly, in preparation for a highly paced farcical play. 'What the Butler Saw' was my choice of play and we decided to perform it in norwegian. It was a strange developmental process - originally we obtained the scripts in norwegian but due to the growing cast, I decided to re-write the play, increasing the cast form 6 to over 16. My norwegian being basic, the re-write was in english and the group proceeded to work with the english script, translating it back into norwegian on stage - a credit to them all! This highlights the dedication amongst Teater Aksen to make a play the likes of which Tromsø has never seen!
In January 2006, we perfomed a highly successul production of Lorca's Blood Wedding, again to a sell out audience.
This spring we presented cafe theatre across the city of Tromsø.
Next season's project is another new adventure for us and I hope we will be able to tour to other cities with it - we always like a challenge! We are taking a journey to explore the difference between primal and socially accepted behaviour and begin our journey by looking at 'Animal Farm' - a poignant study of human behaviour.
Each project with Aksen is a serious step outside the expected for us all. I believe theatre should always evolve and that why this theatre group will never stand still!
Jill Forrest
