Det Dramatiske Selskab i Bergen

Auditorium in Bergen Theatre (belongs to Det Dramatiske Selskabs Arkiv)

https://marcus.uib.no/search/?q=Det+dramatiske+selskab+1867

Det Dramatiske Selskab i Bergen ("The Dramatic Society in Bergen") was an amateur theatre group founded on February 25th 1794 in Bergen, Norway. The society was inspired by another successor, Det Harmoniske Selskab ("The Harmonic Society"), which was founded in 1765. Several members of Det Harmoniske Selskab were founding members of Det Dramatiske Selskab, and the initiator was artillery captain Carl von Kühle.

Organizational Structure

Memberships

Membership in “Det Dramatiske Selskab i Bergen” was an exclusive title tied to a level of responsibility, though the process of becoming a member went through multiple changes during the society’s years. New members were elected by nomination and votation, given the nominees had a sitting member present to vouch for their character and integrity. No new members could be nominated without a proponent present, as the proponent was also responsible for (and could be held financially responsible for) the new member’s actions within the first trial period of their membership.

Women received much the same membership process as previously described, though women were only allowed when accompanied by a parent, husband or next-of-kin who could vouch for her – given that he was a member, or in the process of being initiated.

In the book of legislation from 1795, it is stated that a member that wishes to pay the membership fee in two installments will be allowed to do so. Though the membership fee amount is not stated it is stated the order of which the payment is to be made. The first installment is to be made on Michaelmas (29th of september) and the second half is to be paid on new years day. Once the full membership fee is paid a receipt will be issued.

Elections and representatives

The society’s rule books show that the structure of the organisation has changed a lot over time. Early documents from 1795 and 1803 suggest three leading directors, who initially had hierarchical positions, but later developed more equal and separated responsibilities, all which were elected by general vote whenever an opening appeared. The society also had many «æmbetsmend», individuals with specific roles and positions of trust, such as secretary, librarian, inspectors, treasurer and several other duties. Later documents from 1867 show a change in structure, where the society would elect 12 representatives (Representantskabet), which then would elect a board (Bestyrelse) during their yearly general assembly. The board could be elected from within the representative group or the general members. Every year half of the sitting representatives had to be replaced, while the other half of them could stay in their positions. This structural change can be explained by the change in role the society had during the mid-1800s. In the 1867 document it specifies that the society’s purpose is to maintain a physical space for performing dramatic arts in Bergen, without mentioning the production of any such performances for themselves.

Laws of the Society

The society had strict laws and extensive rule books which detailed how to become a member, each member's responsibilities, and the responsibilities of any elected directors or representatives. They also describe the general affairs of the society, role division for projects, and penalties for unacceptable behaviour or inattendence. Penalties in the form of fines were common. Each member was expected to be active, and to step into service of the society if elected for such a position.

Fines

As the roles had been assigned the society valued disclosure and promptness during the production period. Only the board and the people involved in the production were allowed inside the building. The society also introduced fines to the ensemble if standards were not met:

5 § If the stage actor failed to be dressed in character within the time of the show and had not reported his presence to the Observateur, he was fined 8 Shilling per 15 minutes late. If the absence lasted all day, the fine was 1 Riksdaler the first strike and the second time they were laid off.

6 § If the stage actor was spotted wearing their costumes outside of the Theatres stage rooms, then he was fined 1 Mark

7 § As soon as an act were to begin, the director had to place the stage actor next to the scenery. If the actor walked away from their spot too early, was he fined 8 shilling.

The Theatre Building

In the beginning, the society performed in an assembly hall called Tetingsalen – a venue which previously had been used by Det Harmoniske Selskab, and thus was known well by the members. From 1800 til 1828, they performed in Komediehuset.

Renting out of the Theatre Building and Rental Contracts

Rental contract between Det Dramatiske Selskab and Theaterforeningen i Bergen

Det Dramatiske Selskab functioned as a private society driven by a group of upper classmen, and this in turn meant that the entire operation of the theatre, both in terms of funding and creative production, was driven by its members. As this circumstance began to cause economical issues, the society started renting out both their scenic equipment and facilities as of 1828, meaning the actual production of theatre was outsourced to differing companies. An undated rental contract, which outlines the broad terms of the theatre's lease, does however show how members of Det Dramatiske Selskab still enjoyed certain privileges, such as having the right to claim as many seats as wished, before the general public had access, when guest companies set up productions with seats on a subscription basis.

Included on this page is a picture of a letter: an example of a specific rental contract between Det Dramatiske Selskab and Theaterforeningen ("The Theatre Association") in Bergen detailing the conditions of their agreement. The contract states that Theaterforeningen will rent all of Det Dramatiske Selskabs equipment and facilities from the 15th of April until the 31st of May 1874. Theaterforeningen was to pay 180 speciedaler in rent to compensate. Below is a transscription and translation of the contract into English.

"The Dramatic Society in Bergen leases hereby in the period from April 15th until May 31st its theatre with accompanying decorations, wardrobe, books, musical archives, stage props, etc. to the Theatre Association in Bergen with the purpose of staging scenic productions there.

As rent in the abovementioned timeframe the Theatre Association pays the Dramatic Society 180 - one hundred and eighty - speciedalers, and complies furthermore with the usually binding conditions for the lease of the Theatre.

Bergen April 14th 1874

On behalf of The Dramatic Society's board

M. K. Chrefeldt

On behalf of the Theatre Assocation

F. C. Prahs, Theodor Blehn"

Det Dramatiske Selskab still exists today as AS Bergen Teater og Det Dramatiske Selskab, and Den Nationale Scene AS pays a yearly sum of 200 kroner (as of 2009) to rent the house at Engen. It is worth mentioning that Den Nationale Scene AS is responisble for the expenditure and insurance for the building.

Sociability, Celebrations, and Songs

1830 Jubilee song

Front page of the leaflet

The song was sung on the 36th anniversary celebration of the society. It is taken from a leaflet.

The song references the ancient Greek oracle Thalia who is the oracle of theatre and the Underworld river of Lethe which is the river of forgetfullness. The running theme throughout is one about the time that hasn't gone past, as a jubilee it references acts of joy, giving, friendship. And that acts to describe the current moment that the subjects of the song are within. It then is a celebration of art, theatre, the society and the celebration itself. As the society was also one that hosted parties and not just theatre.

Jubilee Song text

Original (interpretation)	Bokmål (interpretation)	English (interpretation)
Sang Det dramatiske Selskab i Bergen paa StiftelsesDagen den 25de Februar 1830 Trykt hos Chr. Dahl, K. S	Sang Det dramatiske Selskap i Bergen på Stiftelsesdagen den 25te februar 1830 Trykt hos Chr. Dahl, K. S	Song The Dramatic Society In Bergen at Establishment day the 25th of February 1830 Printed at Chr. Dahl. K. S
Mel. harmonia! du som lærte o s. v.	Mel. harmonia! du som lærte o s. v.	Mel. Harmony! You who learnt e t.c
Vær velkommen hver, som finder Glæde i de gamle Minder! See! i Tidens Strøm, som rinder, Speile de sig os forbi. Selv bag Tidens Forhæng lyder Vennens Røst, og hjertet fryder; Blomsten, som hans Fodspor pryder, Og dens Duft er ei forbi Dem, som fordum paa vor Scene Kunst og Venskab monn' forene, Savner ei Thalia ene - Hjertets Savn er ei forbi. Held os, Venner! end vi skue Under Templets gamle Bue Glimt af fordums Altarlne - Tiden er dog ei forbi. Den har varmet, vederqvæget, Den har Hjertet tidt bevæget, Den har mangen Vunde Læget, Held os! den er ei forbi. De, som huld i Aften bragte Nye Offer', Luen vafte; Den Kjærminde, de os rakte Er med Dagen ei forbi. Hulde Døttre, Sønner bolde O Thalia! aldrig kolde Vestas lig vedligeholde Luen, som er ei forbi! Men maa Templet Du tillukke, Skal sig ei i Lethe dukke Hjertet og sin Tak udlukke Den er evig ei forbi.	Vær velkommer hver, som finner Gleder i de gamle minner! Se! I tiden strøm, som renner, Speilte de seg oss forbi Selv bak Tidens Forheng lyder Vennens Røst, og hjertet fryder; Blomster, som hans prydende fotspor Og dens Duft er ei (ikke) forbi Dem, som før på scenen var Kunst og Vennskap man forener savner ei (ikke) Thalia ene     hjertets Savn er ei (ikke) forbi       Hold oss Venner! Om vi ser under Temelets gamle Bue Glimt av fortidens Altarlne (bitter dram)     tiden er da ei (ikke) forbi Den har varmet, hentet seg inn Den har beveget mange Hjertet Den har leget mange sår,    Hold oss! den er ei (ikke) forbi. De, som tok med kjøtt til kvelden Nye offer`, viftet med luen (hatten?) Den Kærminde, som ble overrakt til oss     Er med Dagen ei (ikke) forbi. Trofaste Døttre, sønner ball O Thalia! Aldri bukke vedlikehold den beste kroppen     Luen (hatten), som er ei (ikke) forbi! Men du må lukke tempelet Skal ikke dukke i Lethe (Hades elv) Hjertet og sin ... utilukket     den er evig ei (ikke) forbi	Be welcome he who finds joy in old memories! look in times stream that runs mirrors those who go past even behind times curtains sounds friends voices, and hearts delight the flower that his footsteps adorns and its smell hasn't gone past those who past scenes were on art and friendship unites doesn't miss Thalia ... Hold us, friends! if we see under the tempels old bow glimce of the past alters times then hasn't gone past That has warmed, quicked up it has moved many hearts it has formed many wounds hold us it hasn't gone past those who brought meat this evening new audience wave their flame ...that was brought to us with days hasn't gone past Steadfast daughters, bold sons O Thalia, never bow Maintain heart of body The flame that hasn't gone past But you who closed the temple shall not dive in the Lethe The heart and its .. exclude that hasn't eternal gone past