Forest Theater Success in Billingetrollet’s Forest
Exciting events have been happening this summer at Billingen. In June, Billingetrollet’s forest was inaugurated with new activities at the cabins, and the digital walk ”Billingetrollet’s Forest” was launched – which has been downloaded over 1,100 times. In August, forest theater made its debut and became a resounding success.
2,500 Visitors During Premiere Season
The newly written performance ”Billingetrollet and the Big Trash Collection Day” was performed for two weeks in Billingetrollet’s forest. A total of 20 performances attracted over 2,500 visitors. The show offered a playful musical theater adventure with the forest’s colorful characters and an important message about keeping nature clean.
Characters and Interaction
Children met Billingetrollet, Berit the Squirrel, Pelle the Crow, Gun the Frog, Ruskiga the Fox, and hand puppets Big and Small Blängis. After each performance, children could hug and take photos with their favorite characters, with many families returning two or three times.
Performance Details
The roles were played by five summer interns from Skövde municipality, most of whom had previous theater experience. The performance was approximately 25 minutes long and offered free of charge to visitors.
”What a fantastic success with forest theater! It has been so fun to meet families and see that children have found new favorites among Billingetrollet’s friends – like Berit the squirrel and Pelle the crow,” says Lotta Stigsdotter, destination developer at Next Skövde.
Creative Origins
The performance was written, directed, and composed by Tuva Sundmark, who graduated from the Music Line at Olinsgymnasiet in Skara in 2023 and is now studying cultural studies at the University of Gothenburg.
The forest theater is a collaboration between Culture in Skövde, the Leisure Unit of Skövde Municipality, and Next Skövde, implemented with support from Swedbank through Sparbanksstiftelsen Alfa.
Additional Information
- You can listen to ”Billingetrollet and the Big Trash Collection Day” on YouTube
- The performance promotes environmental awareness among children
- Free family-friendly entertainment in a natural setting
