The Herøy play

«One of the best historic plays in the country», according to the famous Norwegian actress Agnes Kittelsen after she played the main role in the Herøy play ‘ The King’s Ring’. The play is both theatrical art and the world’s most beautiful Viking musical, but it is also so much more. When 200 actors come together on the stage along with 100 other workers behind the scenes, they form a community that creates magic. The childrens’ sparkling eyes when they get to be a part of the performance, and join the community, is golden for the public and also for the future. Snorre first told the story in his Royal Sagas. But since 1992 ‘ The King’s Ring’ has been performed here on the first weekend in July. An orchestra with 17 musicians and a large choir amplify the action with music. The actors, both adults and children, amateurs and professionals, bring to life the magic of the ‘play by the sea’. And the audience are captivated year after year by the story of the Chief’s daughter Unna who is caught up in a choice between following her heart and choosing the charming Viking rebel Møre-Karl or following tradition and choosing the suitor that her parents had picked. Each of the men had their own entourage and there were battles and strife, then Saint Olav arrived to keep the peace in Havland. The play is set on the island of Herøy with its powerful sea backdrop and where the Lord is the Master of the light. Before and after the play, people gather to eat and talk at the Herøy Coastal Museum just as the people of Herøy have done for hundreds of years. There is a Viking camp for the children, cultural walks, and outdoor church services.