The play Djúpið (“The Deep”, "Die Tiefe") was written for the Reykjavík City Theatre and premiered about three years ago. “This is one of the shows that I am the most proud of in my time here,” says Magnús Geir Þórðarson, theater director of the City Theatre, pointing out that the Schaubühne is one of the most respected theatres in the world. It is therefore a great honor to perform there.

Around 28 years ago, a man survived, after his ship went down along with four crew members just off the coast of the Westman Islands. He spent six hours in the freezing water before he reached the shore and the story of Djúpið is based on this ordeal.

Jón Atli is the only author from the Nordic countries who was accepted to this year’s festival. The play has been performed all over Iceland, starring Ingvar E. Sigurðsson. It has also been performed in Denmark and Scotland and it is scheduled to be performed in Sweden and possibly the Faroe Islands. The play was awarded the third best radio play in Europe in 2011 but Jón Atli says that participating in F.I.N.D. is the highlight for the play.

Djúpið has been performed in small villages in Iceland for an audience of 50 people and then, all of a sudden, it appears on stage at one of the most respected theatres in Europe, which is a fabulous opportunity for Icelandic theatre, says Jón Atli.

Reported by Morgunblaðið and Fréttablaðið.

Click here for more information about F.I.N.D. 2012.

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