Actor Sindre Postholm takes on the title role of convicted spy Arne Treholt in the upcoming spy musical titled “Treholt,” scheduled to premiere at Oslo Nye Teater on September 3, according to coverage from VG. The production merges heavy drama with humor through physical theater and newly written music composed by Peder Varkøy, exploring a historical intelligence case that continues to divide public opinion decades after the 1984 arrest.
Sindre Postholm Stars as Arne Treholt in Oslo Nye Teater Production
The 44-year-old actor from Trondheim steps into the character of the late Norwegian diplomat and politician who was arrested in 1984 and subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison for espionage on behalf of the Soviet Union and Iraq, based on records from Store norske leksikon and NTB. According to Sindre Postholm, speaking to VG, the creative team aims to treat the real-life human tragedies involved with the utmost seriousness while maintaining a clear sense of irony. Theatre director Runar Hodne maintained a dialogue with the Treholt family regarding the project, and according to the production team, the family raised no objections to the staging.
Physical Theater, Rhythm, and the Legacy of the POT Surveillance
Director and choreographer Thea Bay designed the performance as a heavily physical piece where movement mimics the parallel dynamics between surveillance targets and intelligence agents, as reported by VG. Interestingly, historical documents from the former Police Surveillance Agency (POT) reveal that politicians and diplomats suspected of maintaining close ties to Soviet contacts were assigned the actual codename “the dancers” by investigators. Scriptwriter Henriette Faye-Schjøll notes that much of the dialogue and text is written in rhyme to explicitly signal to the audience that the production is a theatrical work of imagination rather than a strict documentary.
Did you know?
Arne Treholt was convicted in 1985 by Eidsivating lagmannsrett for revealing military and political secrets to the Soviet KGB between 1974 and 1983, as well as Iraqi intelligence from 1981 to 1983. He was later pardoned on health grounds in 1992 after serving eight years and five months of his sentence.
Family Connections and Multiple Perspectives on Norwegian Espionage History
Sindre Postholm revealed during his interview with VG that he shares a distant family connection to Gunvor Galtung Haavik, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs secretary arrested for Soviet espionage in 1977, who was his maternal grandmother’s cousin. While ensemble discussions frequently highlighted Haavik as the definitive tragic spy figure—complete with a handbag featuring a hidden compartment—the production ultimately focuses on Treholt’s high-profile lifestyle, running shoes, and ministerial ambitions. The supporting cast, consisting of five actors, moves rapidly through a variety of historical figures including KGB general Gennadij Titov, police inspector Ørnulf Tofte, and minister Jens Evensen to capture the sprawling scope of the 1980s spy scandal.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Treholt Musical
When is the premiere of the “Treholt” musical?
The production premieres on September 3 at Oslo Nye Teater, according to VG.
Who plays Arne Treholt in the Oslo Nye Teater production?
Actor Sindre Postholm portrays the convicted diplomat throughout the musical.
What was Arne Treholt convicted of?
In 1985, Treholt was sentenced to 20 years in prison for spying for the Soviet Union and Iraq while serving as a bureau chief in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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