Are you a Team Player?

Operakollektivet latest production Team Player is relevant to literally every single 90s child and Gen Y out there. Literally. If you've ever worked in customer service, whether in retail or a chain restaurant, you are bound to relate with the characters of this dark comedy, filled with the cynicism that characterizes our generation. 

Are you an easy going, happy-clappy, spirited, cheery, customer friendly, lovely person? #operakollektivet #opera #teamplayer #operaoslo #fringeopera #theatre #teater #operanorge #instashow #coffeegram #instacoffee

Une photo publiée par Operakollektivet (@operakollektivet) le 27 Avril 2016 à 9h59 PDT

I headed towards the trendy Vulkan area in Oslo, plainly dressed, to attend the world premiere of Team Player at 9:30pm. A beautiful walk, considering that the sun hadn't set yet (perks of living way up north!). Presented at the Hendrix Ibsen Jr. coffee shop, it is the perfect venue for an opera that is actually set in a coffee shop. Now I knew the smaller venue would not allow for the usual supertitles, so I was really hoping it would be sung in English, and not Norwegian. To my relief, it was.

Although it was Friday 13th (for the supersticious ones out there!), the house was full and the show unfolded smoothly. Team Player was initially a 20 minutes fringe theatre piece, and evolved into an opera under the collaboration of playwright Oda Fiskum and composer Gisli J. Gretarsson, Produced by Barihunk Patrick Egersborg, who also inteprets the Boss in a rich bass-baritone voice, and under the witty direction of Vera Krohn Svaleng, this three-character opera is modern, genuinely funny, and refreshingly simple.

To begin with, the story is set in the coffee shop SueUs, which is conveniently similar to a Starbucks. SueUs has this amazing product: pigeon shit. Its even in their logo (go double check on the first picture of the article, I'll wait.)

In the words of Fiskum:

You're young, you're promising, your supervisors think you could be something, and all the stories you've heard about people who could be somthing ends with them being it. You get yourself education, experience and expose everyone you meet to your unique, sparkling self. But around the corner looms your thirtieth birthday, and suddenly you're not "young and promising" anymore. But you haven't become something that pays the rent or the student loan either. 

So what do you do?

Prodigy, interpreted by soprano Ivi Karnezi, goes from studying at SueUs, to working for the company. She is taught the company values and stories, how to interact with the customer, and how to sell pigeon shit from Guatemala. What to do, what to say, and who to be. Karnezi perfectly embodies the Gen Y who awkwardly wants to please her boss, slowly spiraling down a standardized process, and losing her spark on the way. Recognize yourself?

Une photo publiée par Operakollektivet (@operakollektivet) le 31 Mars 2016 à 22h29 PDT

Prodigy's character is contrasted by Mentor, performed by dramatic mezzo-soprano Margret Brynjarsdottir. Not only does she nail the resting bitch face, she has a magnificent velvety voice and an impeccable English pronunciation.

It's rare to see such a recent composition. Contemporary operas are unfortunately seldom performed in larger halls, but they are the perfect material for an indie opera company performing in an unconvential venue. I mean, an opera set in a coffee shop, presented in a coffee shop? It just makes sense. Plus, the audience has the advantage of being close to the singers, which gives the overall impression that the story is real and happening in your favourite coffee shop.

If you want to witness the SueUs family in action, Operakollektivet presents Team Player May 14 and 15, 2016, at Hendrix Ibsen Jr. Showtime at 9:30pm (the opera lasts about an hour, you won't miss your bedtime.) For tickets: operakollektivet.no

I mean, didn't you ever wonder what your coffee order would sound like if it was sung? #Moccachocolatecreamericano.

PS: If you plan on congratulating the singers after the performance, wait until they've washed their hands. Whipped cream. Everywhere.

Une photo publiée par Operakollektivet (@operakollektivet) le 9 Mai 2016 à 13h13 PDT

Une photo publiée par Operakollektivet (@operakollektivet) le 10 Mai 2016 à 7h57 PDT