June 21 - June 29 2025
Ants / Maur in Oslo (Norway)
Ants is an interactive performance which brings children together to explore the landscape around them.
Ants by Polyglot Theatre (Australia) has been produced and adapted for a Norwegian context by Rom for Dans.
Ants as big as humans work together intently, collecting and placing hundreds of giant bread crumbs, and children are irresistibly drawn closer to find out how they can join in. Gradually a world of meaning unfolds, with children’s movement making lines and patterns, transforming public space and disrupting the everyday. Children choose how they interact with the big insects, becoming Ant-like creatures themselves and taking part in their world. This is an enchanting and unusual experience that everyone can enjoy at their own pace.
Rom for Dans tour of Maur is supported by a city life grant from the Municipality of Oslo.
Venues & Session Times
Saturday 21 June
- Gråbeisletta, Sagene: 12:00pm & 1:30pm
Sunday 22 June
- Pilehagen, Botanical Garden: 12:00pm & 1:30pm
Wednesday 25 June
- Opera House: 12:00pm & 1:30pm
Thursday 26 June
- Kirsebærlunden park, Tøyen: 12:00pm & 1:30pm
Friday 27 June
- Rudolf Nilsens plass, Tøyen: 12:00pm & 1:30pm
Saturday 28 June
- Karpedammen, Akershus Fortress: 2:00pm
Sunday 29 June
- Karpedammen, Akershus Fortress: 12:00pm & 1:30pm
General Access
Ants / Maur
- Ants / Maur is a universally accessible experience. The performers do not use spoken language – there is no language barrier.
- You and your family can choose how you engage with the performers and the space, moving around as you like.
- Ants contains amplified sound that is played through portable speakers.
- You can come and go from the performances at any time.
How to prepare
- When you come to a Polyglot show we recommend you wear comfortable clothing that allows you to enjoy moving. Remember that you have come for an adventure and there are many ways to begin finding your play. You are curious and this space is yours. Just as you might at the beach, do you take your time and dip your toe in to warm up, or do you run and jump right in? The worlds we set up welcome you to take your time and find your own way to your imaginative play; and our performers are there to join you, or play alongside you, and look after these worlds and their inhabitants.
Polyglot Theatre & Rom for Dans
Polyglot’s ethos of adaptability empowers us to respond to new opportunities as the touring landscape shifts. We continue innovating to reach a broad audience.
This includes our local delivery partnerships, which contribute to our long-term sustainability practice, both environmental and financial. They also provide ongoing reciprocal creative exchange for our artists, led by Associate Director Emily Tomlins.
In 2023, Polyglot established a new partnership with Norwegian company Rom for Dans, in conjunction with Den kulturelle skolesekken (The Cultural Rucksack) Innlandet. Trained local teams can deliver a bespoke in-schools version of Ants / Maur, as well as public seasons.
About Rom for Dans
Rom for Dans is committed to creating art that encourages participation and reflection. For 20 years, Rom for Dans has created performances and workshops for diverse audiences.
One of Rom for Dans’ main goals is to create dance performances for and with children and young people. Every year, thousands of school children experience our productions, either here at the house or through Den Kulturelle Skolesekken.
Rom for Dans is supported by the Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Oslo.
