Sebastian

Sebastian, alias Knud Christensen (1949), is one of Denmark’s most popular artists. During the 30 years of working as an active musician, Sebastian has been behind a line of impressive music productions including albums, soundtracks and musicals. More than 2 million people have seen the official performances of his musicals but that does not account for the greater regional theatres and amateur groups who have produced his works. More than 500 amateur companies have put up “The Treasure Island”. Sebastian’s music is timeless and folksy. It is intended for every one. Knud has previously been assisting director for the theatre group The Mastodonts. His first production was in 1996 with the musical “Cyrano”. Then again in 1999, Sebastian put up a fantastic outdoor performance of ‘Ronja the Robber’s Daughter’ with the group. Due to the success of this collaboration he signed up with The Mastodonts again in 2000 and this time with a new version of the musical “Cyrano”. The musical was titled “The New Cyrano” and like “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter” it became a success beyond all expectations! Sebastian had his debut as a director in the Fredensborg Palace Garden with the production of ‘Ronja the Robber’s Daughter’ performed by The Mastodonts. Since then, two more productions with The Mastodonts of ‘The New Cyrano’ have been put up, lastly in the Cirkusbygningen in August 2001. From the collaboration arrives a new musical written by Sebastian titled ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’. With this musical it is the first time that The Mastodonts work as a producing theatre but Sebastian finds it is a good place where one can experiment with the setting, the music and the direction. Sebastian has created a universe of mystery, suppressed lust, humour, compassion, kindness and the ever-existing double standard of morality. One is thrown into life in the opposed Paris and Victor Hugo’s universe of the oppressed and their oppressors. It is a universe illustrated through two opposed destinies that are both expelled from their rightful groups. Stranded in no-mans-land the tale about the ugly hunchbacked bell-ringer Quasimodo and the beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda unfolds. It is a musical with many of Hugo’s social allusions enhanced with Sebastian’s magical touch. Truly, a magnificent work of art!