1941 theatre strike in Norway

Background

In Norway there was a state monopoly on radio, which was broadcast by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). When Norway was invaded by Germany on 9 April 1940, the Nazis seized control of NRK. A Norwegian Theatre Directorate was established, subordinate to the Ministry of Culture and Enlightenment.

During the early period of the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, cultural conflicts did not surface. But eventually, about the turn of the year 1940/1941, actors started to express unwillingness to participate in German festivities, and to perform on radio. On 14 January 1941 Minister Lunde issued a bull of excommunication, which said that any actor who declined to perform publicly, either on theatre, in radio or at festivities organized by the authorities, should not be allowed to work as an actor in Norway. This prompted theatre directors to gather in Oslo, and contact was established between the directors and the Norwegian Actors' Equity Association (NSF). There was a general agreement that Lunde's document violated basic civil rights, and that such violations were unacceptable. On 23 January board members of NSF were summoned to Reichskommissar Terboven's office, where they were told that German authorities supported the Ministry, and that violations would be met by the strongest measures. To be held responsible were both the actor herself/himself, the theatre director, the union representative, and the entire board of the NSF. Schwenzen, acting chairman of NSF, published the directives on bulletin boards at the various theatres. Subsequent negotiations between theatre workers and authorities eventually resulted in a document that was mutually accepted. In particular the document emphasized that actors could freely dispose of their spare time.

Strike

In early May 1941, seven actors eventually received a letter from the Ministry, in which they were ordered to play for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation when requested. The seven selected actors were Aase Bye, Elisabeth Gording, Lillemor von Hanno, Georg Løkkeberg, Gerda Ring, Lasse Segelcke and Tore Segelcke. This was the first time during the occupation that a complete occupational group went on strike. The conflict quickly escalated, as the Nazi authorities did not accept such behavior. During the negotiations various threats had been mentioned, including death penalties. The strike had lasted five weeks.

Aftermath

After the conflict the Ministry of Culture, subordinated to Nazi authorities, decided to take full control of the theatres. The board members of Nationaltheatret were replaced, and Harald Grieg, Francis Bull and Johannes Sejersted Bødtker were arrested and incarcerated at the Grini concentration camp for years. After the Nazification of the theatres, a general boycott from the public became effective. Some actors continued to play during the war years, while others fled from the country after a while.

References

References

1. Dahl, Hans Fredrik. (1995). "Norsk rikskringkasting". Cappelen.
2. Ringdal, Nils Johan. (1995). "teaterdirektoratet". Cappelen.
3. Bolling, Jens. (1983). "Teater i krig". Cappelen.
4. Hjort-Jenssen, Egil. (1948). "Norsk skuespillerforbund gjennom 50 år 1898–1948". Gyldendal.
5. Rønneberg, Anton. (1949). "Nationaltheatret gjennom femti år". Gyldendal.
6. Ringdal, Nils Johan. (1995). "Teaterstreiken". Cappelen.
7. (1984). "Krigens Dagbok". Det Beste.