The show has started.
Four chapters in the Bible are devoted to this story, which is now being performed as a musical. The audience seems to be captivated by the colorful costumes, the catchy songs, the lighting, the exciting story and the choreography both on stage and by the dancers that appear in the hall. We see how the world of Noah’s time has become an awful place.
A strange message from God
When Noah and his sons are told by God to build an ark, this is completely incomprehensible to everyone. Despite unpleasant experiences of being mocked and ridiculed, Noah and his family still choose to build the ark, as God has instructed them.
A leading actress with a personal commitment to children
The lead role Noah is played by Jostein Paulgard Østmoen (51). He has played a key role in the design of the musical and is the author of all the songs. He has a lot of experience in staging musicals, and is also a qualified music teacher. Singing and music play an important part in life. When Jostein was asked by BCC Media to get involved in the Noah musical, he didn’t hesitate to say yes.
But there´s something else, The commitment goes deeper.
Jostein is a senior lecturer in pedagogy in the study of kindergarten teacher training. He has a personal interest in children and childhood. He knows that how and what we communicate with children is extremely significant.
We had a chat with Jostein to find out more about the thoughts and processes behind the creation of the musical.
The security of having a childlike faith that God is for us
Jostein explains that it was a long process with many meetings, deliberations and discussions in the working group before the script and lyrics were finalized and the message sharpened. When the practices started, there was a need for major and minor adjustments to better convey the message they wanted.
– We have discussed and talked a lot about what is at the heart of the whole Noah story. What is so lovely about Noah, which we want him to represent for the children, is a simple belief that God exists and that he has plans for us, as he says in one of the lines. God wants to help us and wants us to be on his side. Noah chose this and he experienced that God took care of him and his family. The safety of having God on your side, having someone to trust, someone to believe in. That is the sense of security we want to convey to children.
Tone down the drama surrounding the flood
– What happens in that story is that everyone drowns. That in itself is dramatic, painful and incomprehensible. This is not what we want to focus on. That’s why we’ve chosen to tone down the drama surrounding the flood. It comes and is part of the movie, but when it happens, we focus on the safe, good, atmosphere that is inside the ark. It’s a cheerful setting, with a bit of humor and fun work, good family atmosphere and relationships.
Recognizable from the children’s own everyday life
– Another theme is about taking a stand and standing up for what you believe, without being afraid that others don’t agree, explains Østmoen.
– It’s comical that Noah is building a boat on land. It is an act of faith. It demands something of them, they have to be brave and tough. We need that in our lives too. Also, children sometimes need to be a little brave and tough to stand up to things. There are a lot of these elements that we’ve expanded on a bit to make it engaging and recognizable.
Lion King atmosphere
Back to the hall.
The ark has been completed and the stage show switches to a cleverly animated film clip of all the animals flocking to the ark. Mixed with a solemn and resounding soundtrack, it feels for a moment as if we are in the middle of a scene from The Lion King. The magic is palpable. Suddenly, real sheep enter the hall. The sound level increases considerably, and it is clear that this makes an impression on the children. And the excitement doesn’t diminish when, shortly afterwards, two gorillas come jumping down the stairs and over the railings.
– Are they real? An eager child asks from a row of seats.
But they are not.
The children are wide awake and get up from their chairs to see better. The magical, enchanted atmosphere has now been replaced by excitement and childlike delight in the animals.
The musical continues, now with Noah and his family safely inside the ark. The atmosphere here is warm and welcoming. It turns out that Noah and his family also have quite a job taking care of all the animals. Here we meet giraffes, rhinos and gorillas that tend to run away from their stalls. The humorous slant also seems to strike a chord with the adult audience. The story concludes happily. The danger is over, the water is sinking. God sends a rainbow, which is proof of the promise that there will never be such a flood over the earth again.
Jesus is our ark
After the musical, an enthusiastic child and youth worker comes up and explains how the musical can be understood and become relevant to the children’s own lives. Jesus is our ark and with him we can be safe, regardless of what happens around us. “Jesus, is my big brother! When it storms I am safe Jesus is my ark on earth, I am safe and He is so near!” a children’s choir sings out in unison to end it all. The rather complicated choreography is well rehearsed and the children seem to thrive in the spotlight.
Facts
- BCC Media’s children’s initiative Bible Kids has produced its first musical, in close collaboration with BCC Music
- The concept and script phase started in early October, nine months before the performance
- In total, around 3,400 volunteer hours have been spent
- During the actual performance, with actors, rigging, children’s choir, interpreters and LLB crew, 180 people are at work
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