Program – Fall 2026

Experience Lillebjørn Nilsen's songs in a new guise when Thea Glenton Raknes and her band put their indie pop touch on some of Lillebjørn's well-known and beloved songs.

For the past two years , Thea & the Wild have had the honorable and exciting task of presenting Lillebjørn's song treasures to a new audience. It all started in 2024 when they were commissioned by Miniøya to pay tribute to Lillebjørn Nilsen by interpreting a free selection of his songs. This was so well received that it has resulted in both an album and concerts at everything from the Northern Norway Festival to the Kongsberg Jazz Festival, and now they are bringing these charming and playful versions to Melahuset and MelaFantasy!

An enchanting performance where song, dance and the beautiful tones of the Kraviklyren (one of Europe's oldest stringed instruments) merge into a musical and dance universe. This is a poetic story about two twin lyres, carved from the same tree, but who have been separated from each other due to unrest in the world. With song and movement they embark on a search through forests, mountains and down to the bottom of the sea to find each other again.

Through traditional Norwegian ballads and modern compositions, the performance invites reflection on loss, identity and the unifying power of music.

• Idea and script: Silje Onstad Hålien and Martin Steinum Brun
• Composer/musician: Martin Steinum Brun
• Choreographer/dancer: Silje Onstad Hålien
• Costume: Karianne Caspara Haag
• Produced by Silje Onstad Hålien and Martin Steinum Brun, Ann – Cathrin Tessnes/DKS Akershus and Ragnhild Tveitan/DKS Buskerud