Einar Schanke
Encyclopedia
Einar Leonard Schanke was a Norwegian composer, pianist, revue writer, theatre director and theatrical producer. He wrote revues for the Edderkoppen Theatre
, and later for Chat Noir
, where he was also director from 1962 to 1975.
as the son of baker Einar Schanke and Engeline Vindenes. He was married to Karin Anne Brit ("Lollo") Andreassen from 1960. He died in Oslo in 1992.
, and 'Ro' for Kurt Foss
and Reidar Bøe, as well as song texts for Wenche Myhre
and Nora Brockstedt
. He composed melodies for classic revue numbers like 'Kjære lille Norge', "Evergreen", 'Syng og vær glad' and 'Festen er over'.
He acquired the Edderkoppen Theatre
in 1967, which he renamed 'ABC-teatret'. He started the record company Cat Music in the 1960s. Among his most popular albums were 'Kjære lille Norge' from 1972, for which he was awarded Spellemannprisen
, and 'Einar Schankes Gledeshus' from 1974. He issued albums with Rolv Wesenlund
and Harald Heide-Steen Jr.
, including 'Og takk for det' from 1970, and the 'Hørerør' series. He also issued albums with Rolf Søder
, Odd Børretzen
and Arthur Arntzen
. He staged several musicals at the ABC theatre, including Norwegian adaptations of The Fantastics and The Little Shop of Horrors
.
Throughout the 1950s, Schanke became responsible for a new style of revue, performed entirely for the open stage without the traditional music numbers played before a closed carpet during scene shifts. Jazz-inspired, more show-oriented music which was primarily self-composed replaced the saloon-themed accompaniment common at the time. Schanke's theatre is often called 'jazz-revue', not only due to the choice of music genre, but also for its seemingly improvised, more casual theatre-expression.
Schanke had an eye for talent, and was not only responsible for introducing many fresh pens and faces, but found pulled many established names from theatre and popular music into his revues. Examples include Jon Eikemo
, Kirsti Sparboe
, Ole Paus
, Inger Lise Rypdal
, Kjersti Holmen
, and Øyvind Blunck.
The Leonard Statuette is named after him. He was a Knight of the Order of St. Olav.
Edderkoppen Theatre
The Edderkoppen Theatre is a theatre located at St. Olav's place in Oslo, Norway.From 1967 to 2003 it was called the ABC theatre. The theatre is known for varied entertainment, ranging from comedy to musical shows.-History:...
, and later for Chat Noir
Chat Noir
Chat Noir is a cabaret and revue theatre in Oslo, Norway. It was established in 1912 by Bokken Lasson. The current director is Tom Sterri.-Establishment:...
, where he was also director from 1962 to 1975.
Personal life
Schanke was born in OsloOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
as the son of baker Einar Schanke and Engeline Vindenes. He was married to Karin Anne Brit ("Lollo") Andreassen from 1960. He died in Oslo in 1992.
Career
After graduating as a student in 1947, Schanke became active as a freelance swing jazz musician from 1949, and as a writer for various amateur- and student revues from 1950. In 1956 he cooperated with Bjørn Sand to create the revue 'Med vinger på', as well as a new version of the comedy success 'Bare jatt me'n', both set up at Edderkoppen Teater. With Alfred Næss, he presented the revue 'Ferske Fjes' in 1957 at Chat Noir, where Schanke served as conductor, writer, composer and at times theatre manager. He was the director there from 1962 to 1975. Early in his career, Schanke wrote revue classics such as 'En dåre kan spørre' for Arvid NilssenArvid Nilssen
Arvid Nilssen was a Norwegian actor, revue artist and singer. He made his debut at Scala Teater in 1935, and played at Chat Noir from 1937 and most of his career. He was regarded as one of the leading comedians in Norwegian revue.He was awarded the Leonard Statuette in 1968.-References:...
, and 'Ro' for Kurt Foss
Kurt Foss
Kurt Foss was a Norwegian composer, singer and vaudeville artist.He was born in Bergen, and together with Reidar Bøe Kurt Foss created the hugely popular duo "Radiofantomene" that was active throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s...
and Reidar Bøe, as well as song texts for Wenche Myhre
Wenche Myhre
Wenche Synnøve Myhre , in some countries known as Wencke Myhre, is a Norwegian singer and actress who has had a great number of hit songs since the 1960s in the Norwegian, German as well as the Swedish markets and languages.She got her first recording contract with composer and producer Arne...
and Nora Brockstedt
Nora Brockstedt
Nora Brockstedt is a successful Norwegian singer, born on 20 January 1923. She first entered a professional stage at the age of 20, namely the highly reputed Chat Noir in Oslo. During the next two decades, she managed to become one of Norway's most famous and beloved singers and entertainers...
. He composed melodies for classic revue numbers like 'Kjære lille Norge', "Evergreen", 'Syng og vær glad' and 'Festen er over'.
He acquired the Edderkoppen Theatre
Edderkoppen Theatre
The Edderkoppen Theatre is a theatre located at St. Olav's place in Oslo, Norway.From 1967 to 2003 it was called the ABC theatre. The theatre is known for varied entertainment, ranging from comedy to musical shows.-History:...
in 1967, which he renamed 'ABC-teatret'. He started the record company Cat Music in the 1960s. Among his most popular albums were 'Kjære lille Norge' from 1972, for which he was awarded Spellemannprisen
Spellemannprisen
Spellemannprisen is an award presented to Norwegian musicians for their contributions.-Operation:The award was established on the initiative of International Federation of the Phonographic Industry , an organization that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide...
, and 'Einar Schankes Gledeshus' from 1974. He issued albums with Rolv Wesenlund
Rolv Wesenlund
Rolv Helge Wesenlund is a Norwegian comedian, singer, clarinetist, writer, and actor.Wesenlund is most famous for having portrayed the title character in the movies Bør Børson, Bør Børson II, and the TV series Fleksnes Fataliteter...
and Harald Heide-Steen Jr.
Harald Heide-Steen Jr.
Harald Heide-Steen Jr. was a Norwegian actor, comedian and singer. He was the son of Harald Heide Steen. During the 1960s, Harald Heide-Steen. Jr made the radio programs Hørerøret, Sugerøret and Pusterøretat at NRK with Gunnar Haugan and Rolv Wesenlund.Harald Heide-Steen Jr...
, including 'Og takk for det' from 1970, and the 'Hørerør' series. He also issued albums with Rolf Søder
Rolf Søder
Rolf Søder was a Norwegian film actor. He appeared in 40 films between 1955 and 1991.-Selected filmography:* Nine Lives * The Chasers * The Passionate Demons...
, Odd Børretzen
Odd Børretzen
Odd Lunde Børretzen is a Norwegian author, illustrator, translator, and vocalist.- Biography :He was born in Fister in the Hjelmeland municipality as the son of a preacher...
and Arthur Arntzen
Arthur Arntzen
Arthur Arntzen was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.He was born in Borge, Østfold. He worked in the insurance company Norske Folk from 1926 to 1927, then as treasurer at Glomma Sagbruk og Høvleri in Fredrikstad from 1929 to 1936 and auditor and treasurer's assistant in Borge...
. He staged several musicals at the ABC theatre, including Norwegian adaptations of The Fantastics and The Little Shop of Horrors
The Little Shop of Horrors
The Little Shop of Horrors is a 1960 American comedy film directed by Roger Corman. Written by Charles B. Griffith, the film is a farce about an inadequate young florist's assistant who cultivates a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood. The film's concept is thought to be based on a 1932...
.
Throughout the 1950s, Schanke became responsible for a new style of revue, performed entirely for the open stage without the traditional music numbers played before a closed carpet during scene shifts. Jazz-inspired, more show-oriented music which was primarily self-composed replaced the saloon-themed accompaniment common at the time. Schanke's theatre is often called 'jazz-revue', not only due to the choice of music genre, but also for its seemingly improvised, more casual theatre-expression.
Schanke had an eye for talent, and was not only responsible for introducing many fresh pens and faces, but found pulled many established names from theatre and popular music into his revues. Examples include Jon Eikemo
Jon Eikemo
Jon Eikemo is a Norwegian actor. He debuted on stage in 1961. He made his film debut in 1968, with the movie De ukjentes marked ....
, Kirsti Sparboe
Kirsti Sparboe
Kirsti Sparboe was born on 7 December 1946 in Tromsø, Norway. She Is a musical performer, and an actress. Most of her musical career is based around the widely popular Eurovision Song Contest....
, Ole Paus
Olé Paus
Ole Paus is a Norwegian singer-wongwriter, author, poet and actor. He is widely considered one of Norway's most popular musicians.-Background:...
, Inger Lise Rypdal
Inger Lise Rypdal
Inger Lise Rypdal is a Norwegian singer and actress in many different genres: pop, rock, theater, film, and musical.-History:Inger Lise Rypdal has been an artist since 1968...
, Kjersti Holmen
Kjersti Holmen
Kjersti Holmen is a Norwegian actress.She was born on Nøtterøy, and later moved to Alnabru, where she grew up with her parents and two sisters. She graduated from the Norwegian National Academy of Theatre in 1980, and has been employed at the National Theatre since 1981 – permanently since...
, and Øyvind Blunck.
The Leonard Statuette is named after him. He was a Knight of the Order of St. Olav.