Aarhus Revyen 2025 opened with laughter, music and lots of recognition

Published: 10.04.2025

by: Christina Hazelden - Photographer: Wyrle Studio

There was something special about the atmosphere even before we entered the hall. The red carpet had been rolled out inside Hermans in Tivoli Friheden, where Aarhus Revyen 2025 premiered. Anticipatory laughter in the air and familiar faces chatting and greeting each other. We were there as press – and this was my first revue ever.

And no, it won't be the last.

Because stop now, where I was laughing. Not that kind of polite, cultured laugh. No – that kind of gut-wrenching laugh, where the tears roll and you forget that you're sitting among strangers. The revue's special ability to hit on something recognizable, something we all share, makes it something very special. I'm over 50 and a grandmother – and when the parody of the grandmother came on stage, I felt seen and heard. And not least entertained.

The Aarhus Revyen is known for its musical strength. This was noted by several people we spoke to before the performance. Revue writer and director of Sønderborg Summer Revy, Leif Maibom, said it clearly: “I hope they continue the musical tradition – and preferably with some more uptempo music, so that it develops a bit.”

One of the biggest laughs of the evening came during the songs about traffic in Aarhus. With satirical jabs at the Dokk1 parking lot (which ironically was out of service the next day) and parodies of famous Danish singers, the number brought the audience to their feet. It was apt, relatable and hilarious.

We spoke with Micki Cheng before the show and asked what it takes to make a revue good. “A revue should be fun, but you should also be able to learn something from it,” he said. “And I love seeing the interaction between the actors – when they have fun on stage, it's contagious.” He added with a laugh: “There are a lot of Aarhus stories – and I might be a bit challenged, because I'm from Randers. But I'm sticking with it as best I can.”

When an entire hall becomes one audience

Szhirley, who is also on stage, perhaps said it best herself when we caught up with her after the performance and asked what the audience should take home from the revue: “I hope that the audience can fly home a little easier than when they arrived. That they can be allowed to shut everything else out for a while and just join in the game.”

She elaborates: “It’s pretty intense to be in the world right now, in every way. So I hope this will be an outlet for people – that they can just be here with us, have a party and play along with our game.”

Szhirley loves the musical side of the revue world: “It has something very special. There is a willingness to play and throw things up in the air and let them fall in a new way. And even though we hold on to traditions, there is also room for innovation.”

She adds: “I think it's absolutely wonderful that you can get so much music into it – and that it contains both poetry and humor.”

It worked. The atmosphere in the hall was electric. The entire hall was alive with the revue – with laughter, applause and good spirits. It felt like a shared celebration, a shared experience, even though we didn't know each other.

Right behind us sat an older lady who was absolutely delightful. She commented, laughed and got so involved in the performance that it was contagious. She was a regular at this year's revues, she said, and her enthusiasm and immediate reactions helped make the experience even more enjoyable for us.

The revue as a gathering point – We must dare to say things out loud

It worked. The atmosphere in the hall was electric. The audience was there all the way, and during the break we met both young and old people who had clearly been struck by the magic of the revue. A craftsman's company had a tradition of bringing their employees along every year. The young people might not have known all the references – but the older ones did, sitting there nodding in recognition of the jokes and parodies. “This year the revue is much better than last year,” it said.

Two from Aarhus Erhverv said it like this before the show: “I'm most looking forward to hearing what topics they're interested in – what interests them?” And when asked if it's okay for the revue to address things we don't normally talk about, they replied: “Yes, I think so. We have to dare to talk about things – otherwise there will be too much distance. The revue is one of the last formats we have left where you dare to do some things.”

What the revue can do is exactly that: Bringing generations together for laughter and recognition. And yes, the audience was mainly 50+ – but as one of the guests put it: “The young people are also getting older.”

Politics was also not lacking. Trump showed up, of course, and the local politicians also got their loving swipes in. It does something when satire dares to be honest, but also inclusive.

We also met Le Münster-Swendsen and Marianne Gonnov Bøgelund before the performance. What were they most looking forward to? “Uh ha, laughing!” it sounded promptly. “We're just looking forward to it all – and there's definitely a lot of great music.” About what characterizes a good revue, they said: "It's both texts that can be touching, funny and satirical – and then there's something about the interaction and whether the actors match each other. A revue where you simply can't stop laughing – and where you're brave."

Aarhus Business

If you don't laugh at one thing, you'll laugh at the next.

But it's not just political. It's human. The parody of the woman from Harlev in menopause made me laugh so hard I almost lost my breath. And her closing line? No, we won't reveal that here – it has to be experienced.

The revue shook the bag with characters we all know. Not just celebrities, but types. The colleague. The mother-in-law. Ourselves. “The sketches are so different that there is something for everyone,” Szhirley said. “If you're not into politics, it only takes a moment – and then something new comes along that you can laugh at.”

And it did. Over and over again.

I came as a revue maiden and left with fits of laughter and the feeling of being part of something common. Aarhus Revyen 2025 is nothing more than a performance – it is a vent. A musical, satirical and moving break from the world as it is.

And next year? Then I'll be sitting there again.