Folketeateret is a theatre in Oslo, Norway. The building has existed longer than the theatre, and been used as a movie theatre and opera house. The theatre has 1,400 seats. The theatre itself operated from 1952 to 1959, but the institution has a much longer history. Inspired by the Freie Deutsche Volksbühne in Berlin led to forming of interest organizations in Bergen and Oslo in 1928 and 1929. The idea to establish a good theater for the working class. The Folketeatret building in Oslo was commissioned in 1929, and the architects Christian Morgenstierne and Arne Eide worked on it until it opened in 1935. For financial reasons, a theatre did not open immediately, but a movie theatre was operated. The first theatre performance happened in 1952. Hans Jacob Nilsen was the theatre director from 1952 to 1955, then Jens Gunderssen from 1955 to 1959. In 1959 the finances were too poor to continue as an independent theatre. Folketeatret was merged with Det Nye Teater to form Oslo Nye Teater, although it continued operation in Folketeatret's building. From 1959 to 2008 the building was shared with the Norwegian National Opera. In 2013, Scenekvelder put up the production of the musical Annie. Scenekvelder contributes actively to the theater productions at the theatre the latest years. In 2014, Scenekvelder produces the first production of Billy Elliot The Musical outside the West End and Broadway stage at Folketeateret. In 2015, Scenekvelder produces the replica version of Mary Poppins, this was the 8th time a replica version of the famous Broadway and West End musical has been produced. The show opened on September 17 and closed on March 8, 2016. In 2016, Scenekvelder set up the production of Singin' in the Rain, the production opened on September 2 and closed at the beginning of March 2017. In 2017, Scenekvelder is setting up the production of Les Misérables, it was set to premiere on September 8, 2017. In the fall of 2018, Scenekvelder was to be setting up the production of The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Stephen Barlow.
