Actors in The Play about Saint Olav 2026
We are pleased to announce the cast list for the Play of Saint Olav! SNK has previously presented Morten Svartveit and Natalie Bjerke Roland as King Olav Haraldsson and Gudrun. As newcomers, we are pleased to present Hans Petter Nilsen as Torgeir Flekk and Aleksander Nohr as Kolbrunarskalden. New this year is that Arnljot Gelline and Kvistadbonden will be selected by audition from good amateurs.
Newcomers to the game
Director Maren Bjørseth says this about the newcomers: "Finally, Norway's most charming and funniest actor is coming to Stiklestad. Hans Petter is a joy to work with. He is always concerned with the human side and the interaction on stage. He will bring both humor and depth to the role of Torgeir Flekk."
About Aleksander, Bjørseth continues: "I am very happy that Aleksander Nohr has agreed to play the Bard. He is a very talented opera singer and a good actor with a popular twinkle in his eye. He is very motivated to take on this role, which will have more space in this year's version of Spelet. I am looking forward to the audience at Stiklestad hearing his enormous voice."
Stiklestad veterans Even Stormoen and Ingunn Beate Strige Øyen return as Gamal-Jostein and Gudrid, while Vetle Røsten Granås continues as Froste.
Hans Petter Nilsen-Torgeir Flekk, was born and raised in Trondheim, and is currently a permanent employee at Trøndelag Teater, where he has worked for 25 years.
"I know director Maren very well through several productions at Trøndelag Teater, including "Lexicon of Light and Darkness", and "The Ten Commandments". But we also worked together at Verdal, in what was Turneteatret's first performance: "Art". It's always a pleasure to work with her, and the fact that we're going to do it at Stiklestad is really fun. The role of Torgeir Flekk, the farmer at Sul, I'll probably have to look for with both the director and colleagues when we get started, but I've realized that he's in a bit of a crossfire of the doubts and beliefs of that time, and there's not much finer acting food than that limbo there," ends the new pawn on Sul.
Alexander Nohr-Tormod Kolbrunarskald, is from Kjerringøy in northern Norway, but moved south to study in Trondheim and Copenhagen, before starting his opera career as a soloist trainee at the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet. Over the next decade he distinguished himself as a freelance soloist in roles such as Escamillo in Carmen at Malmö Opera, Marcello in La Bohème at Opera Hedeland.
Nohr is renowned for his warm, lyrical sound and strong stage presence. Over the past ten years, Aleksander Nohr has performed with several of the leading Nordic orchestras and opera companies. He is a permanent baritone soloist at the Norwegian Opera & Ballet in Oslo, where he regularly sings roles such as Dandini in La Cenerentola, the Count in The Marriage of Figaro and Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress.
The Kvistad farmer and Arnljot Gelline
These roles will be filled by amateurs this year. It is said that Lensmann Suul supposedly recruited an amateur for the role of Arnljot Gelline in the early 50s as well. He did not arrange an audition, but walked around the city streets of Trondheim, and later on Verdalsøra, measuring tall men with his eye. He was looking for the perfect, tall man to play the Swedish outlaw giant Arnljot Gelline.
"As artistic director, I believe it is important to showcase the high level of amateur actors in Verdal Theatre Company and give them the opportunity to play several larger roles in the Play about St. Olav.
"That's why we want to try to make the roles of Kvistadbonden and Arnljot Gelline part of the annual audition this year, and I encourage as many people as possible to sign up," says Wester.
Ingunn Øyen- Gudrid
Ingunn works at Trøndelag Teater, and is currently working on the performance "itj nå knussel", at Inderøymål. "It's great to be back in this year's game, as the housewife Gudrid. The game is constantly developing and it's extra exciting with a new instructor, Maren E Bjørseth. Maren is thorough, analytical and creative. I'm looking forward to it! ", says Ingunn.
Even Stormoen – Old Jostein
Even as Gamal-Jostein is a joyous reunion. He has previously played both the King (1997-98) and Gamal-Jostein (2017-18 and 2025), and is therefore quite a veteran of the game. "Even, with his unique presence and solid experience, is a dream to have in an ensemble," says artistic director, Nina Wester.
Vetle Røsten Granås- Froste
Vetle Røsten Granås is 24 years old and comes from Verdal. Over the past few years he has had several exciting assignments and worked with plays, theater and film. Many remember Vetle from Milliardærøya on Netflix, Eplene i Messehagen in Malm, Oda from Havet in Mausund and the feature film Alle Hater Johan. Vetle is currently studying classical singing at the Norwegian Academy of Music, and is participating in the Play for the 8th time and for the 3rd time as the soldier Froste.
Auditions for amateur actors and dancers at Stiklestad in collaboration with Verdal Teaterlag will be held on March 7th and 8th, so now is the time to register.
Registration is open for all roles, extras, farm workers, soldiers, dancing, robber gangs and more.
The play about St. Olav is the core of the Olsokdagene festival in Stiklestad. This year's Olsokdagene takes place from July 24th to 29th. The play about St. Olav is performed on July 25th, 26th, 28th and 29th.