View source for Det Dramatiske Selskab i Bergen

[[File:Skärmavbild 2026-03-04 kl. 14.13.42.png|thumb|Auditorium in Bergen Theatre (belongs to Det Dramatiske Selskabs Arkiv)<ref>https://marcus.uib.no/instance/manuscript/ubb-ms-0230-a-10-b-16.html</ref>]]
[[File:Det Dramatiske Selskab.jpg|thumb|https://marcus.uib.no/search/?q=Det+dramatiske+selskab+1867|alt=Det Dramatiske Selskab, vedtekter fra 9.mars 1867]]
Det Dramatiske Selskab i Bergen ("The Dramatic Society in Bergen") was an amateur theatre group founded on February 25th 1794 in Bergen, Norway.<ref>Ellen Karoline Gjervan, “Privat teateraktivitet, dilletanteri eller amatørteater? Dramatiske selskaper i Norge 1780-1830,” in ''Lidenskap eller levebrød? Utøvende kunst i endring rundt 1800'', ed. Randi M. Selvik et al. (Fagbokforlaget, 2015), 198.</ref> 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, the order of which the payment is to be made is. 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.<ref name=":0">Det Dramatiske Selskab i Bergen. (1795). Om selskabet i almindelighed, dets lovgivning og myndighed. N/A. Page 38.</ref> 

=== 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.<ref>Det Dramatiske Selskab i Bergen. (1820). Lover for det dramatiske selskab i Bergen. Chr. Dhal, R.G, Bergen.</ref>  

== 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.<ref name=":0" />

6 § If the stage actor was spotted wearing their costumes outside of the theatre's stage rooms, then he was fined 1 Mark<ref name=":0" />

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, they were fined 8 shilling.<ref name=":0" />

== 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 ===
[[File:Leiekontrakt 1874.png|thumb|Rental contract between Det Dramatiske Selskab and Theaterforeningen i Bergen<ref>Kontrakt. 1874-04-14. https://marcus.uib.no/instance/manuscript/ubb-ms-0230-a-10-d-01-07.html</ref>]]
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.<ref>Leiekontrakt. https://marcus.uib.no/instance/manuscript/ubb-ms-0230-a-11-d.html</ref> 

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 of the contract translated 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"<ref>Kontrakt. 1874-04-14. https://marcus.uib.no/instance/manuscript/ubb-ms-0230-a-10-d-01-07.html</ref>

Det Dramatiske Selskab still exists today as AS Bergen Teater og Det Dramatiske Selskab, and Den Nationale Scene AS pays a yearly symbolic sum of 200 kroner (as of 2009) to rent the house at Engen. It is worth mentioning that Den Nationale Scene AS is responsible for the expenditure and insurance for the building.<ref>Bækken, Danbolt, Hofstad, Klemsdal. (2009). ''Hundre år på Engen''. Den Nationale Scene AS. Side 3.</ref>

== Sociability, Celebrations, and Songs ==
Celebrations were an important part of sociability within amateur dramatic societeis, and Det dramatiske selskab in Bergen is no exception here.

=== 1830 Jubilee song ===
[[File:Stiftelsesdag sanghefte.png|thumb|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. The jubilee references acts of joy, giving, and friendship. It describes the current moment that the subjects of the song are within, and is then a celebration of art, theatre, the society and the celebration itself.  

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+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
|}

== Sources ==