The Tinderbox is a modern, musical retelling of H.C. Andersen's classic fairy tale, staged by Steen Koerner at Folketeatret in Copenhagen. It is presented as a family production, billed as suitable for children and adults alike.
What to expect
Rather than a straightforward reading of the old story, this version brings the tale into our own time. It blends theatre, street dance, 3D animation and music, so the evening moves between live performance and visual effects. The story is also offered as a tribute to mothers and sons in war, which gives the familiar fairy tale a more serious undercurrent beneath its playful surface.
- Kind of visit: a theatre performance for the whole family
- Style: musical, with street dance, animation and live staging
- Music: composed by Yo Akim, with lyrics by Steen Koerner
- Cast: Stephanie Nguyen, Mette Horn, Hervé Toure, Isa Marie Henningsen, Ibrahim Madsen, Oliver Vilhelmsen, Malthe Ørsted and Emil Stenlund
Where and when
The production runs from 5 to 10 November 2026 on the Main Stage (Store Scene) at Folketeatret Nørregade, in the centre of Copenhagen. Folketeatret is easy to combine with a wider visit to the city, and the theatre's own event page lists the current details for the show.
For a family looking for an evening out in Copenhagen, The Tinderbox offers a fresh way into a well-known Andersen story, with enough music and movement to hold younger viewers while giving older ones more to think about.