The Mute

About

The Mute is an innovative symphonic silent play commissioned by the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. Conceived by Christian Eriksen and composer Janove Ottesen, the work removes spoken dialogue entirely, replacing it with a continuous orchestral score, physical acting, and immersive scenography. Production designer and co-director Arne Nøst suspends translucent bobbinet fabrics across the stage to create shifting three-dimensional canvases for Reidar Richardsen’s video animations. The music, staging, and visuals interact fluidly to guide the audience through the narrative without words, inviting viewers to project their own imaginations into the story. The production’s artistic integration and originality were recognized with two Hedda Awards in 2019: Best Production and Best Scenography/Costume Design.