Does the name Gladsaxe Ny Teater ring a bell? It should. This theatre has quite a story. Until 2006 it was simply Gladsaxe Teater.
Let’s turn back the clock to 1962. Gladsaxe Municipality approved 25000 kr for a local theatre. Erhard Jakobsen was the driving force. The theatre first operated as Omegnsteateret. Its stage was the aula at Stengårdsskolen in Bagsværd. The premiere was January 20 1963 with Romulus den Store.
The next year the theatre moved to Gladsaxe Gymnasium’s old aula. The first performance here was in spring 1965.
In 1976 Gladsaxe Teater joined Den Storkøbenhavnske Landsdelsscene. It is now known as Københavns Teater.
Gladsaxe Teaters Folkekor was created in 1986. It allowed local amateurs to perform in the theatre’s large musical productions. The choir still exists today. It also performs independently.
The theatre underwent a major renovation in 1997-98. Væksthuset a small stage seating 90 was added.
Financial troubles plagued the theatre. Københavns Teater stopped its subsidy in 2006. Gladsaxe Teater gave its final performance on March 19 2006.
But the story doesn’t end there.
With support from Gladsaxe Municipality local businesses and Danish foundations the theatre reopened. It became Gladsaxe Ny Teater. Kaspar Rostrup became the director. On January 6 2007 they premiered Hamlet. Thure Lindhardt played the lead role.
However securing private funding proved difficult. Gladsaxe Ny Teater entered bankruptcy proceedings on January 8 2008. The theatre closed on June 1 2010.
Today Gladsaxe Gymnasium uses the theatre’s space. It hosts the gymnasium’s musical morning gatherings and concerts.
Gladsaxe Ny Teater had several directors including Paul Schleisner Bent Mejding and Preben Harris. Knud Poulsen Christoffer Bro Flemming Enevold and Kaspar Rostrup also directed.
The theatre at Buddinge Hovedgade 81 has seen many changes. It reflects the shifting tides of culture and economics in Gladsaxe.