Author Anne B. Ragde (65) and comedian Sandra Spjelkavik (32) met under psychologically stressful circumstances during the recording of the TV 2 program “Forræder” last year.
Paranoia is replaced by roars of laughter when they take the comedy stage together later this year.
– On “Forræder” I loved Anne from the moment she opened her mouth. She is so hysterically funny. We have become good friends after the recording and I think it will be magical to be on stage with her, says the 32-year-old.
FRIENDS FOR 35 YEARS: The authors Unni Lindell and Anne B. Ragde have been close friends for over half their lives, and talk to each other every day. Photo: Latter/ Bonnier Forlag
The author duo Anne B. Ragde and Unni Lindell (65) are the main characters in the show “Julefruer”. Spjelkavik is there as “sidekick”, moderator and “animal tamer” when the two friends celebrate their 35-year friendship.
– My role will be to keep these ladies in check. They are lovely, outspoken ladies, so the chatter there can go on for hours. So I have an important role, because someone has to steer them back in when the conversation derails.
With crude humour, the two author stars will share stories about Christmas, literature, unfriendliness, ink cake injected with liquor, illness, toil and seriousness.
– Unni and I have quite a crude sense of humour, so we have to be a bit careful. It might be a bit rough for some. But it’s nothing that isn’t fun. We go from being sad to grinning very quickly. Then one of us makes a comment or other, and then we’re off and running. That’s what we survive on, says Ragde, who suffered a stroke in 2019.
Lindell and Ragde are experienced with book baths, and the latter does not think the transition to the comedy scene will be of the frightening kind.
MADE AN IMPRESSION: In “Forræder” the author gained many new fans for his outspoken style. Photo: Sindre Scavenius
– People smile all the time at our book baths too, so there really won’t be any difference. We’ve heard before that we work as stand-up comedians, so I think that will go smoothly. We don’t get nervous, because we like each other on stage, says Ragde.
The premiere of the show will be at Latter in Oslo on 1 November, before Ragde, Lindell and Spjelkavik visit Trondheim, Stavanger, Bergen and Kristiansand.
– I feel so lucky to be allowed to share backstage with these two lovely ladies. It will be great fun to travel around, drink red wine and listen to their stories, says Spjelkavik.
As a writer, Anne B. Ragde has been in such intense writing periods that she has contracted bleeding stomach ulcers. In the last year, however, she has moved more and more out of the “writing cave” – among other things with participation in the TV 2 programs “Forræder” and “Sofa”.
– After I turned 60, I only say “yes” to what I want. I say no to anything I don’t have a blast with. That is why I have joined “Sofa” and have made commercials. “Yes, that sounds fun,” I say. But then I also say: “No, I don’t want to be on a podcast there. I don’t want to be part of it.” It has become such that I only follow the pleasure principle, and I really want to do this performance.
LYSTTYRT: Anne B. Ragde only does what she wants to do after she turned 60, such as appearing in the TV 2 program “Sofa”. Photo: FREDRIK FRIELE HAUAN
But for those who liked Ragde’s participation in “Forræder”, the author must be disappointed that she will not be seen in similar programs again.
– There is no reality that suits me, because it takes too long. “Traitor” only took two weeks. “Farmen kendis” is the shortest now, and it takes five weeks. It is out of the question that I will be away from Trondheim city for so long. I can’t bear that, she says matter-of-factly.
Sofa is broadcast on TV 2 Direkte Thursdays at 20.00, and anytime on TV 2 Play.