The theatre itself operated from 1952 to 1959, but the institution has a much longer history. Inspired by the
Freie Deutsche Volksbühne in
Berlin led to forming of interest organizations in
Bergen and Oslo in 1928 and 1929. The idea to establish a good theater for the working class. The
Folketeatret building in Oslo was commissioned in 1929, and the architects
Christian Morgenstierne (1880–1967) and
Arne Eide (1881–1957) worked on it until it opened in 1935. For financial reasons, a theatre did not open immediately, but a
movie theatre was operated. The first theatre performance happened in 1952.
Hans Jacob Nilsen (1897–1957) was the theatre director from 1952 to 1955, then
Jens Gunderssen (1912–1969) from 1955 to 1959. In 1959 the finances were too poor to continue as an independent theatre.
Folketeatret was merged with
Det Nye Teater to form
Oslo Nye Teater, although it continued operation in
Folketeatret's building. From 1959 to 2008 the building was shared with the
Norwegian National Opera. Stage production company Scenekvelder has been active to theater productions at the theatre in recent years. In 2013, Scenekvelder put up the production of the musical
Annie. In 2014, Scenekvelder produces the first production of
Billy Elliot The Musical at Folketeateret. In 2015, Scenekvelder produces the replica version of
Mary Poppins. In 2016, Scenekvelder set up the production of ''
Singin' in the Rain. In 2017, Scenekvelder set up the production of Les Misérables. In the fall of 2018, Scenekvelder set up the production of The Phantom of the Opera'', directed by
Stephen Barlow.{{cite web|url = https://www.loesjesanders.com/stephen-barlow|title = Phantom of the Opera - Folketeatret Oslo |website = loesjesanders.com ==References==