It's "Hygge" Time !!

Here you can sit back and read more about the London Toast Theatre and the people who make it all work!

Click to hear:
Interview from Sky Radio

But first - What is "hygge"?

"Hygge" is a Danish phenomenon! It is as important to the Danes as "chic" is to the French, as "angst" is to the Swedes and as "cool" (as in "Cool Britannia") is to the English.

It is often inadequately translated as "cosiness" . But it is much more. And it is actually the one thing which helps us to comprehend the true spirit of the Danes.

Danes exist essentially in two states of being: they are either extremely reserved OR they are very "hyggelige" - and they can visibly move from one state to the other by consuming large quantities of beer!

There is no better way to loosen up a rather formal Danish business meeting than by placing a few bottles of beer on the table (and for maximum- hygge a case of beer should be stored under the table for later .)

I think that "Hygge" is an art, and I would define it as the Art of Creating Intimacy . Of course, some nationalities are easily and unrestrainedly intimate - like the Italians – or not at all – like the Germans.

But the Danes succeed in "creating" intimacy in the same way as they create furniture. Basic, uncomplicated, unexaggerated, and yet, however simple - somehow it always works!

Hygge consists of the four C’s – comradeship, conviviality, cosiness and - most important of all - Carlsberg.

Conviviality without Carlsberg!

Here on Viv’s Hygge Site, I cannot, I’m afraid, ask you to draw up a danish-design chair to a candle-lit table and offer you a bottle of cold Carlsberg under the soft light of a PH lamp – but can offer you the conviviality of a few extra stories and anecdotes about the London Toast Theatre and a closer acquaintance with our company.

Why the name London Toast?

Many people ask me why I called the theatre company, The London Toast Theatre – and the short answer is that ,way back in 1982, I had to invent a name in a hurry whilst on the telephone. I was sitting at the breakfast table feeding my baby son - and, unable to be more creative at such a moment, I noticed in front of me, a loaf of sliced bread from the local supermarket called "London Toast" .

"Why not ?" I thought – " I come from London and as for "toast"? well.... I can always change the name later on to something that sounds more distinguished ...." So London Toast it became – and has remained ever since.

Who are the London Toasties?

"London Toasties" is the nickname for anyone who has ever worked for the theatre company and the number must , after nearly 20 years, reach over one hundred - including actors , theatre technicians, designers and directors

When I started the company in 1982 I had to invite actors over from England to appear in our English-speaking productions , but nowadays many of those same actors have fallen in love with Denmark (and its attractive inhabitants) and have moved here, so I am lucky enough to have a pool of talented, professional actors right on my doorstep.

Among them are:

David Bateson

David has been our leading man for many years in many of my theatre shows. And, whether it is playing a serial killer in "Dead Serious" or a nerd in "Intimate Exchanges" - his all-round talent and versatility as an actor is nothing short of remarkable . Thanks to his striking good looks (in spite of his follicly–challenged head!) - his fan club grows daily. His performances as James Bondage and particularly Tarzan , when he bared his muscular body to the delight of the female members of the audience, them queuing up for his autograph at the Stage Door . (He would, however, often walk right past them, totally unrecognised without his wig on!)

Andrew Jeffers

Andrew trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre and graduated in 1991. Since leaving, Andrew has appeared in London_s West End and on tour; Most recently a national tour of "Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" , playing the roles of Jacob and Potiphar. TV appearances include Eastenders, Crimewatch (BBC) and The Bill. For the last six months he has been starring in the hit show "Mardi Gras" in Ibiza. Andrew has appeared in four Crazy Xmas Cabarets and always has to shave off his beard! . Last year he was Salmonella in "Bent the Gladiator" and is now delighted to be back as Nurse Nellie

Barry McKenna

Barry is often described as a barrel of energy! ( Some say just a barrel! ) He has been living in Denmark now for many years and I have to admit that it is all my fault! He first came over to appear in the Crazy Christmas Cabaret in 1985 and we haven’t been able to get rid of him since....I mean , he stayed .

He is a dedicated (and very popular) Theatre School teacher and completely shatters the myth that "those who can’t act– teach!" Apart from his straight roles (if that is the right expression in his case!) - he can still manage to reduce David and I to tears of laughter when the three of us perform our touring show, " "Shakin’ Up Shakespeare".

Helen Tennison

Helen was saved from the undead this year by working as Assistant Director on The Mysteries 2003 a co-production between The Belgrade and Ireland_s street theatre company Macnas, a devised physical play involving 7 proffessional actors and 70 community actors. Her blood has been invigorated by playing Orlando in Orlando, squashing cherries in an advert and beating up cabbages in her solo show. She has also toured France with a contemporary dance company, played Shakespeare in prisons, and taught mime in the Australian outback. Other Viking entertainment includes Educating Rita and Game Set and Match for London Toast Theatre. Helen is happy to be back checking out the blood donors for her sixth Crazy Christmas Cabaret!

Elliot Head

Elliot first appeared with the L.T.T. in 1999, in "Never say Bondage is Not Enough" and returned the following year playing Luke No-Hans and Captain Arachno in " Spaced Out" _ since then he has toured extensively with The English Shakespeare Company playing diverse roles including Romeo, Bottom, and Malvolio. He also teaches and directs internationally; last year his production of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" headed up The Connecticut Shakespeare Festival.

Hara Yannas

Hara - (pronounced “Hurra!”) born in Britain of Greek parents , graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2003.She's played Katy Ketchup in 2004 “Who Shot The Sheriff?”and Anne Banner conception in 2005 "LOOK NO HANS!". "Other appearances include Anne in “A Little Night Music”,Viola in Shakespeare's “Twelfth Night”,Amy in “Company” and “The Cole Porter Review”.Hara recently recorded the lead role of Persephone in “Atlantis” for Krizik’s Fountain,Prague.

Kirsten Brink

Kirsten has been the set and costume designer of every Crazy Christmas Cabaret since 1987 - so she knows a lot about blood ,sweat and tears! She has also lent her talents to other LTT shows including Shakespeare's "Macbeth". Her work for Danish theatres is extensive and includes Aalborg Theatre , Odense Theatre, Tivoli Revyen. Pallesen-Pilmark show and the Royal Theatre's "Nutcracker Suite" currently showing at Tivoli's Concert Hall. Next on the agenda is LTT's production of "The Importance of being Earnest" in March 2004.

Ulla Håkansson

Ulla is the oldest and yet one of the youngest members of the London Toast Theatre.! Although a mere Dane, (!) she has worked with us "crazy Brits" since she was a teenager. First as a Stage Manager, then – thanks to her comedy talent and excellent English – as an actress in no less than eleven Crazy Christmas Cabarets. A few years ago, she gave up the thespian life and is now the smiling voice at the end of the London Toast telephone and our indispensable office manager. She decided (wisely!) to exchange one set of unruly children (the actors!) - for her own!

Søren Hall

The London Toast Theatre company could not exist without him! He is the man who pays our salaries, sorts out our taxes, butters up the critics, fuels our publicity machine, organises the Box Office, produces our Press Releases, cooks the "hygge" dinners, feeds the dog and the child , and generally looks after all of us, particularly me – his wife!

Peter Düring, Tom Højlund Olsen og Søren B. Petersen

As a childPeter played in Tivoli’s Music Corps,then he graduated from the Royal Music Conservatory and the Rhythmic Music Conservatory.He plays,composes and produces pop bands including Alex,the Techno Group,Infernal,and Hit of the Year winners - Nik & Jay (www.peterduring.dk) Søren (also known as Bom Bom) has played drums and created fantastic sound effects for the London Toast Theatre since 1993.He plays for Denmarks’ most successful Children’s theatre “Eventyrteatret” and has his own band “Søren’s Orkester” (www.sorensorkester.dk) Tom has a diploma-degree in classical percussion from The Royal Academy of Music.He has played in many musicals including:Miss Saigon,Cyrano de Bergerac, H.C.Andersen, The Black Raider.He plays at The Royal Theatre,The Royal Danish Guard and he has played in all of the Copenhagen Symphony Orchestra.

And many more....

Adam Wide, Jonathan Ash, Eric Reiss, Tina Robinson , Farshad Kholghi, Søren Frandsen and Jens Blegaa are just a few of the names of actors who work regularly for London Toast Theatre.

Other actors come to "hygge" with us for just a few months a year – there are too many to mention, but my audiences can never overlook the outstanding comedy of the "one and only " David Bluestone ("Dolly" to his friends!) - who has played "the dame" in the Crazy Christmas Cabarets for thirteen years. Whether he - (or rather she!) - flirts with that pain in the neck, Count Dracula, as Nurse Nellie Nightcap, or dodges the guillotine as Madame Babette Bidet in "the Scarlet Fingernail" - the audience simply cannot help howling with laughter at David’s inventive comic talent, his rubber face and that hour-glass figure

( pity all the sand fell to the bottom!)

No Hygge Site would be complete without –

Dr Van Helsingør from Elsinore !

"Goddag , goddag , mit navn is Dr van Helsingør fra Elsinore but you can call me Bent!" - "You’re bent!" – "Thanks shall you have!"

Dr. Bent van Helsingør first appeared in 1986 as a vampire-killer in "Dracula" and has , since then, appeared in every Crazy Christmas Cabaret – except one! In 1997, I thought that I needed a break from playing this odd Danish doctor – and that the audience needed a rest from him too. However that year I received so many letters of protest from members of the audience – "it isn’t a Crazy Xmas without van Helsingør!" that he was forced into making a triumphant return in "Tarzan ,King of the Swingers" - as the man who teaches Tarzan to speak English!! Poor Tarzan – no wonder he had problems adjusting to civilisation!

It is a true measure of the Danes’ sense of humour that they love a character who essentially makes fun of them and their life-style. Dr van Helsingør , with his halting English, his Holmes hat , his over-sized Ecco shoes and bottle of Gammel Dansk - must be the most "hyggelige" Dane of all!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

HYGGE happy hour!

"Hygge" is addictive and although now we must scrape back our chairs and stand up , (bashing our heads painfully on the PH lamp.,) blow out the candles and get ready to leave this Site, we hope you’ll return soon for another "Hygge happy hour"

There is lots more to tell about the London Toast Theatre and I hope you’ll drop in again soon. Don’t hesitate to mail us if you have any questions.

As we say in Danish - "tak for nu" - vi ses snart igen!"

Vivienne McKee.