Saved events

Castle of Joy

Det Ferösche Compagnie

— ,The Pit
Two performers on stage: one creeps up behind the other menacingly.

Hear the compelling story of a person's inspiring journey to build a world of their own in this moving play from the innovative Faroese theatre company, based on true events.

Castle of Joy is inspired by the life and work of Pól Jóhannus Poulsen, also called Joy. Born in 1925, Pól Jóhannus lived in a small village in the Faroe Islands and was excluded from his society because he was considered to be different. However, this didn’t stop him from pursuing his dreams of constructing a world of tangled jumble.

Featuring intense physicality, an imaginative set and a tender score with live piano playing, this epic tale of love, loss and art draws parallels with the Faroe Islands’ own struggle for independence against colonisation.  

Det Ferösche Compagnie is a Faroese theatre group that strives to create innovative and experimental work with research and devising as vital parts of the process.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Young Barbican Theatre and Dance Winter 2024

Running time: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval 

Contains haze, loud sounds, offensive language and disturbing descriptions of bullying and abuse.

Age guidance: 12+

Post-show talk
Thu 29 Feb, The Pit 
An in-conversation event with Director, Writer and Shadow Actor Búi Dam and members of the company, including Sámal Blak, Kristina Sörensen Ougaard, Dánjal á Neystabö, hosted by Bridget Escolme (Professor of Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary, University of London).Free to same-day ticket holders. 

Performed in English and Faroese. 

Presented by the Barbican. 

Images by Gwenaël Akira Helmsdal Carré.

Creative team

  • Kristina Sørensen Ougaard   Actress
  • Búi Dam   Writer, Director and Shadow Actor
  • Sámal Blak   Set and Costume Design
  • Dánjal á Neystabø,   Composer and musician
  • Súni Joensen   Light Designer
  • Búi Rouch   Movement Director
  • Anna Kristin Bæk   Set and Costume Design Assistant
  • Jens L. Thomsen   Sound Engineer
  • Beinir Bergsson   Technician
  • Bergtóra Patursson   Research Advisor
  • Urd Johannesen   Producer
  • Durita Sumberg   Producer and Tour Manager

Discover

The Pit

Location
The Pit is located on Level -2 within the main Barbican building and can be accessed via the stairs or lifts on Level G, next to the doors to the Lakeside Terrace. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.

You may also like...