Back in the days of Hans Christian Andersen, the only permanent theatre outside Copenhagen was situated at Sortebrødre Torv (Square) in Odense.
Hans Christian Andersen’s mother worked at the theatre and he had the possibility to sneak a peek of the plays and experience the theatre both front- and back stage. The theatre dazzled him and he re-enacted the plays at home. When arrived in Copenhagen in 1819 he tried to become an actor.
At the theatre Hans Christian Andersen helped the poster guy, and he got paid in posters and programmes. It was also at Odense Theatre that Hans Christian Andersen had his debut (as an extra) in 1812.