Sverre Næss (actor) explained

Sverre Næss (18 August 1881  - 28 January 1960) was a Norwegian stage actor.

He was employed at Den Nationale Scene in 1916.^[1] His 25th anniversary was marked in 1942, in which Næss played Old Foldal in Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkman.^{[2] [3]} During the German occupation of Norway he was also a political prisoner in Bergen from 25 May to 7 July 1941.^[4]

After the war, he was acting director of Den Nationale Scene until the autumn of 1946.^[5] In 1947 he left Den National Scene, having reached DNS' designated retirement age of 65, but found work at Rogaland Teater.^[6] His last and 299th role at Den Nationale Scene was as Arvik in Bjørnson's When the New Wine Blooms, which also became his first role at Rogaland Teater,^{[7] [8]} playing against a young Aud Schønemann as Alvilde. Next, Næss and Schønemann played in Sartre's The Respectful Prostitute.^[9]

After the stint at Rogaland Teater, he made a surprise return to Den Nationale Scene and played several roles.^{[10] [11]} A portrait painted by Olav Ansgar Larsen was commissioned by Den Nationale Scene.^[12]

Sverre Næss died in January 1960 in Bergen, being survived by a wife and two daughters.^[13]

Notes and References

1. News: Skuespiller Sverre Næss er død. Simonnæs, Olav. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 29 January 1960. 5. no.
2. News: Spontan og begeistret hyldest til Sverre Næss. Bergens Aftenblad. 5 February 1942. 3. no.
3. Book: Den nationale scene 1931–1976. Oslo. Gyldendal. Nygaard, Knut. Eide, Eiliv. 1977. no.
4. Book: Ottosen, Kristian. Nordmenn i fangenskap 1940–1945. 1st. 1995. Universitetsforlaget. Oslo. no. 487.
5. News: Sverre Ness takker av som teatersjef. K-n. Arbeidet. 30 August 1946. 3-4. no.
6. News: En skuespiller forlater oss. Simonnæs, Olav. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 30 August 1947. 5-6. no.
7. News: En skuespiller skifter scene. JBO. Arbeidet. 20 August 1947. 3. no.
8. News: Avskjedsforestillingen for Sverre Næss. HL. Bergens Tidende. 27 August 1947. 3. no.
9. News: Aud Schønemann: det blir mellom oss. En biografi. Gulbrandsen, Lars O.. Oslo. Se og Hør Forlag. 1997. 50. no.
10. News: Skuespiller Sverre Næss 70 år. Simonnæs, Olav. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 16 August 1951. 2. no.
11. News: Skuespiller Sverre Næss 75 år. Simonnæs, Olav. Bergens Arbeiderblad. 17 August 1956. 3. no.
12. News: Sverre Næss død. HL. Bergens Tidende. 29 January 1960. 5. no.
13. Death announcement, Bergens Tidende 30 January 1960