Hope, Harlots and Heroines – A Historical Comedy Show

Music & culture

Jun 18

Who: Scenekontoret AS

What: Hope, Harlots and Heroines – A Historical Comedy Show

Where: Bergen, Norway

Project period: 2026-2027

About the project:

“Hope hurper og heltinner - et historisk humorshow” is a theatrical exploration of women’s histories which have been marginalised, forgotten or overlooked. The project is based on Marta Breen’s book “60 damer du skulle ha møtt - norsk kvinnehistorie for deg som har det travelt”, which uses humour, knowledge and precision to gives voice to the women who forced their way into societies that did not welcome them often at great personal cost. The performance connects these historical narratives to the present day and asks: How far have we really come in terms of gender equality?

The performance is created and performed by Christine Hope, an artist known for her ability to balance comedy, sharp satire and emotional depth. In collaboration with director Cecilie Mosli and choreographer Ann-Terese Aasen, she has developed a theatrical universe that is poetic, political and accessible to a wide audience, while carrying a generous dose of humour.

A strong visual language is central to the performance. Video designer Eili Braastad plays an important role in the artistic team, creating projections and digital material that both support the historical content of the performance and give it a contemporary scenic dimension. The graphic identity and still images used in the presentation of the project are developed alongside the stage work, creating a coherent aesthetic expression both on stage and beyond it.

Visually, the project draws inspiration from the image of the “paper doll”, a symbol associated with fragility and femininity, but also with the universality of human experience. Costume designer Marthe Synnevåg develops this visual language further, drawing on references from paper art and traditional paper dolls to create both a visual and metaphorical framework for the performance.

About the organization:

Scenekontoret AS is the production company behind the work of Christine Hope, a well-established Norwegian comedian, actor and performer. Hope has for many years been a distinctive voice on Norwegian revue and theatre stages, known for combining sharp humour, strong character work and broad audience appeal.

The organization was established in 2013. The first production, “Christine Hope roer seg kraftig ned” (2013), was seen by more than 20,000 people and received excellent reviews. Her next show, “Hope, skulder ned og tå” (2017), was a physical comedy performance where she worked together with classical guitarist Thomas Valør. This was followed by “Hope og Hingsten” (2020), a collaboration with Frode Gjerløw, which was also well received.

Through Scenekontoret AS, Hope develops and presents performing arts, comedy and entertainment projects for stage, television and live events. Her latest production, “Hope, hurper og heltinner – et historisk humorshow”, marks a new direction in her artistic work, combining humour with educational elements. Her vision is to highlight social inequality through humour, sincerity, and a satirical edge.