An Inside Look: BLAM! The Show
Last weekend, Theatre Trip was lucky enough to get to experience Kristján Ingimarsson Company’s touring production of BLAM! This particular production took place in the middle of the yearly Hans Christian Andersen Festival in Odense, Denmark. The show originated in 2012 and has been sparking standing ovations around the world ever since!
Location: Odense, Denmark
Our Experience at BLAM! The Show:
BLAM! The Show explains itself as “Die Hard meets The Office”. This explosive production follows the stories of four disgruntled office workers who together come up with creative ways to escape their dull reality.
It all begins with what looks like your typical office space – cubicles, computers, lamps, stamps, a copy machine, and of course your standard water cooler. But little does the audience know that this office environment is packed with secrets and brimming with surprises.
Throughout the show, the four office workers play off one another with elaborate, blockbuster-like scenarios. Between the vengeful villains, makeshift superheroes, slapstick comedy, and unexpected romance (hint: the aforementioned water cooler), there’s really something for everyone! And to top it all off, it’s sprinkled with exciting stunts, effortless parkour moves, and a wildly unpredictable set.
Related Topic: Odense Theatre Guide – All You Need to Know
And although this can be seen as a simple spectacle of fun and laughter, something seems to reach a bit deeper. The dream of breaking out of the 9-5 routine is one that is more than relateable. BLAM! shines a light on the natural talent and creativity that is hiding in us all and just waiting to be unleashed.
Theatre Trip’s Chat with Anders Skat Henningsen:
Anders is a Danish contemporary circus artist who specializes in acrobatics and Chinese pole. He has performed in a wide variety of venues, and is now one of the physical performers with BLAM! the show.
Theatre Trip: How did you initially become involved with physical theatre?
Anders: I’ve been doing physical theater since 2007, but I’ve been doing gymnastics, dancing, and movement since a very young age. I was initially inspired by a street show during my travels, which led to a two year circus program and a bunch of workshops afterwards.
Theatre Trip: Do you have any tips for performing in such a high-energy show, or tips for creating energy on low-energy days?
Anders: Cardio training is important of course. But either way, if it’s your first time doing a high energy show, you will probably feel exhausted during it. But learning and remembering to relax your muscles at every possible moment in the performance will give you extra stamina. Also, sleep well and eat well.
But if you happen to have a particularly bad day with tiredness and low energy, I’d suggest taking a very hot shower while you get rid of any negative thoughts.
Theatre Trip: BLAM! is filled with moments that make the audience a bit nervous for your safety. Has there ever been a time in which you actually hurt yourself while performing?
Anders: Fortunately, I haven’t hurt myself too badly. But it did once happen that one of us bled too much to continue the show, so we had a break for 30 min before continuing! But the audience stayed and was very happy.
Theatre Trip: What has been your personal key to success?
Anders: If you get excited about what you see and want to try it, then go for it! And put some effort into it too.
Have you ever gotten the chance to see BLAM!?
We would love to hear all about it in the comments below! And in the meantime, you can always check out our blog post archive of past theatre visits for some insight on what’s going on in theaters around the world!
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* A special thanks to BLAM! for inviting Theatre Trip to the show!
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Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.