'Manifesto 2083,' Play Based Off Norwegian Terrorist Anders Behring Breivik's Writings, In Production In Oslo

A play based on Norwegian terrorist Anders Behring Breivik's manifesto, "2083: A European Declaration of Independence" is in production for its second staging in the city where his attacks started, AFP reports.

Denmark theater Cafe Teatret produced and plans to premiere the play, titled "Manifesto 2083," in August, followed by the second production at the Dramatikken Hus (Drama House) in Oslo.

The play is based off Breivik's manifesto which documents his extremist, far-right ideology and two years of preparation for multiple attacks, including details about the car bomb he planted outside Oslo government buildings killing eight people, and the mass shooting on the island of Utoya killing 69 people on July 22, 2011. Trials for the attacks begin in April.

The controversial play is drawing heavy criticism, similar to the criticism of 2009's "Mein Kampf," based on Adolf Hitler's autobiography. Head of the association of victims of the attack, Trond Henry Blattmann, who lost his son in the attacks, spoke out against the play in an interview with AFP. "We have nothing against a debate on views on the extreme right. We know that books, films and why not theatre pieces will see the light of day," he said. "But we cannot accept this project's format with a monologue based on Behring Breivik's writings."

Artistic director of Dramatikken Hus argued for the production of the play in the AFP interview.

"We have to have the greatest understanding and greatest respect for what the families of the victims and the survivors are going through," Kai Johnsen said. "But it was not only an attack against a certain number of people, their families and their friends. It was an attack against society as a whole."