Gunnar Edvard Rode Heiberg

Heiberg, Gunnar Edvard Rode (1857–1929), Norwegian dramatist, whose work shows the influence of Ibsen's later style. He was for some years (1884–8) Director of Det Norske Teatret in Bergen. His first play, Tante Ulrikke (1884), was a deftly satirical contribution to contemporary ‘problematic’ literature. The two plays by which he is best known-Balkonen (The Balcony, 1894) and Kjœrlighedens Tragedie (The Tragedy of Love, 1904)—explore the nature of sexual passion. His ability to write light witty dialogue is perhaps best in evidence in Kunstnere (The Artists, 1893) and Gerts have (Gert's Garden, 1894). His later plays did not greatly add to his stature, except for the last, Paradesengen (1913)—The Catafalque—a bitter satire on the unseemly behaviour of a great man's heirs quarrelling over their heritage.

Gunnar Edvard Rode Heiberg , 1857-1929, Norwegian dramatist. His plays include Aunt Ulrikke (1883), The Balcony (1894, tr. 1922), and King Midas (1890), a satire on Bjørnson. The Tragedy of Love (1904), probably his best work, deals with love as an uncivilized passion.