Acknowledgment of country

Polyglot acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and create, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. For more than 65,000 years, children and families have created and played here, and we are grateful to make our art on this country too.


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 / Maur production photo: Ida M. Halvorsen. An artist in an intricate black Ant costume engages with a child wearing a spotted shirt. They pass each other giant crumbs. They are outdoors on a green lawn, with other children looking on.

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.

Ants has been produced and adapted for a Norwegian context by Rom for Dans. This tour is supported by a city life grant from the Municipality of Oslo.

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

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.

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 have been delivering a bespoke in-schools version of Ants / Maur. This is our first short season of public performances.

Contact

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