Dybwad, Johanne (1867–1950)

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Dybwad, Johanne (1867–1950)

Norwegian actress and director. Name variations: Johanne Juell. Born Aug 2, 1867, in Bergen, Norway; died 1950 in Norway; dau. of Mathias Juell and Johanne Juell Reimers; m. Vilhelm Dybwad (playwright), 1891 (div.).

Norway's leading actress during a 60-year career, made professional debut in Bergen (1887) and quickly established a reputation for her natural, unaffected style; as lead actress for National Theater in Oslo for 40 years (1899–1939), was especially noted for her work with director Bjørn Bjørnson and for her interpretations of the plays of Ibsen and Shakespeare; began directing regularly (1906) but was sometimes criticized for lack of fidelity to works; retired (1947), receiving Norway's Grand Cross Civil.

See also Carla Waal, Johanne Dybwad: Norwegian Actress (Norwegian U. Press, 1967).