What does everyday life look like when everything is turned upside down? What choices and difficulties do they face that now have to work for almost 24 hours? Nurses, cleaners, taxi drivers and other people from all over Europe who work in various community-carrying functions are allowed to speak freely from the heart about an extremely unusual time.
Short monologues based on the personal and existential stories from the interviewees, filmed and performed by actors from the different theatres. The films are subtitled in English and will be aired on the participating theatres' websites. Stories from Europe: Crisis and Reflection is an international collaboration between the theatres in the Mitos21 network, initiated by the Royal Dramatic Theatre, in Stockholm, Sweden. Premiere at dramaten.se on June 12, at noon.
It feels incredibly important, despite the Corona virus and closed national borders, to continue to develop our international relations. As of right now: only in digital and ephemeral form. However, since I consider it to be an especially important mission to strengthen and deepen our relationship with Europe and the rest of the world, this is therefore a part of the continued work we have as Sweden's national theatre, says Mattias Andersson, Artistic Director for the Royal Dramatic Theatre.
Below are the nine theatres' contributions in order of name for the theatre.
Real life report from a doctor in corona times.
Dramatist: Michael de Ridder, Tobias Kluge (interview partners)
A monologue based on a conversation with a Hungarian cleaning lady working in Vienna.
Actor: Annamaria Lang
Dramatist: Tanja Lorentzon/Bergman Studio
A patient with severe leukemia is rejected treatment because the doctors suspect that he might have Covid-19.
Dramatist: Jacob Hirdwall/Bergman Studio
Volunteer in the Cataclysm.
Dramatist: Tamara Török
The manager of a care-home for vulnerable adults faces the terrifying new world she's working in, and looks to a deeply uncertain future.
Dramatist: Stewart Pringle Actor: Penny Layden
In the midst of the government reopening of society, a preschool director has to create a safe environment for the young children returning to the preschool, while handling the concerns of parents and staff in a time of global crisis.
Dramatist: Lærke Sanderhoff
Barred from seeing her dying grandmother, a young woman reflects on her loss to the pandemic and her desire to see her grandmother off in a fulfilling way.
Dramatist: Julie Petrine Glargaard
A witness of the pandemic in Spain.
Dramatist: Eduard Alejandre/Carles Fernández Giua/Eugenio Szwarcer
Alba sells life insurance over the phone, she lives alone and has been working from home since lockdown.
Dramatist/director: Playstorm/Fausto Paravidino, Maria Teresa Beradelli, Tatjana Motta, Pier Lorenzo Pisano, Irene Petra Zani
Salvo is a policeman who doesn't understand why Italians have such a hard time following the rules.
Dramatist/director: Playstorm/Fausto Paravidino, Maria Teresa Beradelli, Tatjana Motta, Pier Lorenzo Pisano, Irene Petra Zani
Simone is a taxi driver. Since the streets are empty, he likes his job better.
Dramatist/director: Playstorm/Fausto Paravidino, Maria Teresa Beradelli, Tatjana Motta, Pier Lorenzo Pisano, Irene Petra Zani
Interview with an employee in the supermarket.
Dramatist: Emilia Heinrich/André Szymanski
Interview with a social worker for young people in precarious situations.
Dramatist: Peter Thiers
Interview with a nurse in a residence for people in need with assistance (with disabilities).
Dramatist: Thomas Köck