spelkonge

English translation: king of the local open-air theatre

09:43 Mar 2, 2009
Norwegian to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
Norwegian term or phrase: spelkonge
Describing the Norwegian actor, Paul-Ottar Haga:

" ”Spelkonge”. Han har vokst opp med Spelet om Heilag Olav på Stiklestad, hvor han har spilt en rekke forskjellige roller, og fyller gjerne sommeren med diverse friluftsteateroppsetninger. "

Does the term "spelkonge" refer implicitly to those who play/ have played the role in this specific drama?
brigidm
Norway
Local time: 14:38
English translation:king of the local open-air theatre
Explanation:
It does not mean that he is playing the king (although it could mean that, from a linguistic point of view). This is like "King of Hollywood".

You could skip "the local" if you believe he is a national hero.


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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-03-02 11:57:10 GMT)
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They pretty often call it "spelet" - just that. If you call that "the open-air play" in English, it would be quite natural to say "king of the open-air play".


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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-03-02 12:59:27 GMT)
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Yes, it's a historical drama which is played out in open air every summer.
Selected response from:

Egil Presttun
Norway
Local time: 14:38
Grading comment
The open-air element is one half of this very cultural-specific term. The other half, to my understanding, is the historical drama element. Thanks, Egil.
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1king of the local open-air theatre
Egil Presttun


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
king of the local open-air theatre


Explanation:
It does not mean that he is playing the king (although it could mean that, from a linguistic point of view). This is like "King of Hollywood".

You could skip "the local" if you believe he is a national hero.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2009-03-02 11:57:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

They pretty often call it "spelet" - just that. If you call that "the open-air play" in English, it would be quite natural to say "king of the open-air play".


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2009-03-02 12:59:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Yes, it's a historical drama which is played out in open air every summer.

Egil Presttun
Norway
Local time: 14:38
Works in field
Native speaker of: Norwegian
PRO pts in category: 2
Grading comment
The open-air element is one half of this very cultural-specific term. The other half, to my understanding, is the historical drama element. Thanks, Egil.
Notes to answerer
Asker: But could "spel" here also refer to "historical drama"? My impression is that the term embraces both elements, but it would be interesting to hear how a Norwegian understands this term.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Ek: A really talented Norwegian might be spelkonge in the summer and skikonge om vinteren. :-) http://www.adressa.no/meninger/kommentarer/kjetilk/article12...
13 hrs
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