The Paper Bag Princess
Bergen National Opera and UWC Red Cross Nordic collaborated last week to perform ‘The Paper Bag Princess’, an opera based on Robert Munsch’s story of a kidnapped prince, a brave princess and a fierce dragon. A team of eight from the BNO arrived at the campus at lunchtime on Thursday 16th November and stepped straight into rehearsals with a group of 14 students (and one member of staff) representing 11 different countries. This was a wonderful opportunity for students – both on and back stage – to work alongside a professional director, chorus master and soloists and other members of the BNO team to deliver a performance where Händel meets Norwegian folk tunes in this magical story of a prince being kidnapped by a dragon, and a brave princess coming to the rescue.
The dress rehearsal on the afternoon of Saturday 18th November was open to RCN students. The final performance was held on Saturday evening and was played in front of a packed house in the Høegh. Staff families, members of our local community (both young and old), patients from the Red Cross Rehabilitation Centre with which we share a campus, representatives of the Nordic National Committees and many others came together to enjoy a highly enjoyable evening.
A café was run by Foundation Year students to raise awareness of the programme with all proceeds going towards this RCN access programme for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
Click here for the programme of ‘The Paper Bag Princess’.
Click here for an album of photographs (with many thanks to photographers Rodrigo Freitas and Elias Lont).
With huge thanks to the BNO team – and we look forward to working on future projects together.
Larry Lamont (Rektor) and Dan Silfwerin (staff member in charge of the production).
