POULSEN, JOHANNES

(b. Nov. 17, 1881, Copenhagen, Den.-d. Oct. 14, 1938, Copenhagen) actor and director with the Royal Danish Theatre and perhaps the primary member of a famous theatrical family. Poulsen made his professional acting debut at the Dagmar Theatre in Copenhagen in 1901 with his older brother, the actor Adam Poulsen (1879-1969). Johannes joined the Kongelige (Royal) Theatre in 1909 and became popular for his interpretations of serious and comic roles in Shakespeare (particularly for Julius Caesar and for Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew) and in plays by Ludvig Holberg, Adam Oehlenschlger, and Kaj Munk. As a director Johannes followed the style of staging introduced by Austrian producer Max Reinhardt and was acclaimed for the elegance, realistic detail, and spectacle of his scenic design, costumes, and make-up. Johannes' father, Emil, and his uncle Olaf were also noted Danish actors. His brother Adam was a successful actor, and his brother Olaf was a professional ballet dancer. His wife, Ulla Poulsen (ne Iversen), was a principal dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet.