Bellevue Teatret
History
In the early 1930s, Arne Jacobsen won a competition for a masterplan for the Bellevue area in Klampenborg, Gentofte Municipality, shortly after opening his own architectural office in 1930. The Bellevue Teatret was the last stage of this scheme, which also included facilities for the local Bellevue Sea Bath and the Bellavista residential buildings. The theatre opened in 1936 as a mondain summer theatre. It closed a few seasons later, then operating as a cinema until 1980, when it was reopened as a theatre and film centre by Jes Kølpin.
Building
The building is considered one of the most important architectural work by Arne Jacobsen, exemplar of early Danish functionalism. The inside has mosaic decorations and is noted for the retractable roof. Walls, balcony and proscenium are clad in canvas and bamboo. The front curtain shows a beach girl, painted by Åge Sikker Hansen.
Repertoire
Since the reopening as a theatre, the repertoire has been dominated by modern music performances, particularly rock musicals.
An annual tradition is a Summer Ballet. Until the 2008 season produced in cooperation with Copenhagen International Ballet, it is now made in produced in cooperation with Tim Rushton and Danish Dance Theatre.
Bibliography
- Strømberg, Ulla: Bellevue Teatret. Arkitektur og teater i Arne Jacobsens bygningsværk. Forlaget Bogvaerket.dk
References
- ^ "Arne Jacobsen". Modern Design Directory. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ "Bellevue Teatret". Gyldendal. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ "Sommer Ballet 2009". Gyldendal. Archived from the original on July 7, 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ "Anmeldelse: Bellevue Teatrets hvide perle" (in Danish). Villabyerne. Archived from the original on 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2014-01-06.