Det Ferösche Compagnie, Castle of Joy
15–16 March / Lille scene
“Societal exclusion, neuro-diverse children and the consequences otherness has on someone growing up, Castle of Joy transcends the confines of traditional storytelling, offering audiences a thought-provoking and immersive theatrical experience into the life of a misunderstood child.”
– Broadway World
Castle of Joy is based on the true story of the life and work of outsider artist Pól Jóhannus Poulsen, also called Joy. Pól Jóhannus is born in 1925, the youngest of 13 siblings, in a small village in the Faroe Islands. Because he is different, he is labeled the village idiot. However, this does stop him from pursuing his dream, which is to construct a world of his own – a world of tangled jumble.
Castle of Joy is a minimalist one-woman piece that tells an epic story of love, loss and art. It is beautifully portrayed by Kristina Sörensen Ougaard. Her physical acting allows the audience to see the development of a wide range of characters. This is supported by the playful and imaginative set design by Sámal Blak and, last but not least, the music by Dánjal á Neystabö.
Det Ferösche Compagnie (DFC) was established in 2012 and strives to create innovative and experimental theater, seeking to be both radical and accessible at the same time. Unlimited imaginative inspiration and creative integrity are two significant aspects motivating their work, with research and devising being vital parts of the process. The company has a collaborative approach, which means that the creative team of the production is vital to the whole process, from research to the end result. All core members of DFC come from the Faroe Islands, but have studied and worked abroad. International connections, exchanges and collaborations are high priorities of the company, in addition to re-inventing, challenging and questioning theater as an art form.