Forward

Forward is a stage play set in Norway and is the second in The Arctic Cycle - a series of eight plays that examine the impact of climate change on the eight countries of the Arctic: U.S., Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.The stage production includes electro-pop music written by Norwegian singer-songwriter Aggie Peterson (professionally known as Aggie Frost).The play unfolds over a hundred years and features nearly forty characters.One of the central characters is the historical figure, Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930). The geographic feature, Ice, is also an important character.Though the play deals with serious issues, the action is sparked by many magical elements.Foreword by Una Chaudhuri, a professor of English, drama, and environmental studies at New York University, who has been working on the "dramaturgy of climate change" through involvement environmentally based theater and performance projects. She will comment on the importance of the play Forward and the whole Arctic Cycle within the context of similar theatrical works.Introduction by Norwegian dramaturge Tale Naess offers perspective on how the play fits the Norwegian context.