History always serves as a wellspring of inspiration for creatives. Hence, it’s no wonder that Betty Nansen Teatret in Copenhagen, entwined in vines of historical romance, also inspired the BETTY chair collection.
Situated in the Frederiksberg Allé district, this theatre has stood the test of time, embodying cultural rebellion and the push to see things from a fresh perspective. The theatre's first building was merely a wooden pavilion, built in 1857. It hosted about 1,200 distinguished ladies and gentlemen and was known as the Odéon, where guests enjoyed food, drink, and performances. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. 'Your gratitude is our reward for the culinary delights both on stage and on trays,' announced theatre posters, while all present indulged in the then still tender joys of the entertainment world. Over the years, the wooden pavilion evolved into a brick building, with the theatre's name and concept evolving with each new manager. Yet, one person seems to have eternally left their charismatic mark on theatre history – the Danish Sarah Bernhardt, actress Betty Nansen. Following a less successful international career in the USA, she returned to her native Copenhagen in 1917 and took the role of theatre director, then known as Frederiksberg. For 26 seasons, Betty successfully directed the historic theatre, enhancing the repertoire with avant-garde directors’ performances. The perpetually modern Copenhagen community revelled in scandalous performances, bold direction, and unpolished artistic expression…
Inspired by the origins of the old, wooden Betty Nansen Teatret, designers Jakob Thau and Sami Kallio set out to embody the theatre's original spirit in a minimalist chair format. A sturdy wooden frame is matched with an unexpected element – tension belts. Typically serving a structural role, in the case of the BETTY chair, the belts become the focal point of the design. Hand-woven with natural linen yarn, the belts not only ensure comfort and mobility but also lend the chair a unique, pioneering appeal.
BETTY TK7 and TK8 – half-bar and bar-height stools. Available in four different wood finishes and two shades of linen stripes.