Press release from the Nobel Prize Museum

Experimental theatre concept to be presented at the Nobel Prize Museum

28 August 2023
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Photo: Clément Morin

A theatre performance is currently emerging at the Nobel Prize Museum. Actors Katarina Krogh and Fabian Hedlund, together with director Johan Bark and Nobel Prize Museum curator Carin Klaesson, are creating a completely new production based on texts from Nobel Prize laureates in literature. 30 September marks the premiere of the performance, which has emerged from a form of theatre lab.

As early as last spring, work began on developing the performance, which is entitled “Being Human”. The script will be a work in progress all the way to the premiere, with the aid of structured improvisation during rehearsals. This working method is called “devising” ─ a form of theatre lab that results in a performance in which reality and seriousness co-exist with playfulness. This experimental way of creating theatre has been deliberately chosen in line with the Nobel Prize Museum’s ambition to test new formats for a future Nobel Center in Stockholm.

There will be scenes featuring music, song and movement ─ the action will shift between theatre, dance and performance art.

“Both theatre and the Nobel Prize can sometimes be perceived as a little pretentious, and I don’t want to fall into that trap,” says director Johan Bark. “The performance should feel a bit dirty and bold. Our ambition is that it should also be fun. I want the audience to laugh.” 

The theatre performance will feature texts by literature laureates such as Svetlana Alexievich, Annie Ernaux, Louise Glück and Wisława Szymborska. The audience will also meet the main character in laureate Pär Lagerkvist’s famous novel “The Dwarf”. But it will be a new interpretation of him, where he is placed in a more contemporary context ─ an example of how existing texts can gain a new life on the theatre stage. 

“All the words spoken on stage will be written by literature laureates,” says Johan Bark. “That’s our framework. But it will not be a traditional reading. Nor will anyone dress up as Alfred Nobel or Selma Lagerlöf.” 

“Being Human ─ a theatre performance” will premiere on 30 September at the Nobel Prize Museum. Additional performances are planned during the autumn.

Being Human ─  a theatre performance

Dates: 30 September, 29 October, 19 November (more performances may be added)

Actors: Katarina Krogh and Fabian Hedlund

Director and Lighting Design: Johan Bark

Costume Design: Elsa-Mareanne Wrethagen

Assistant Director: Dina Lagerman

Dramaturge: Carin Klaesson

Nobel Prize Museum

The Nobel Prize shows that ideas can change the world. The courage, creativity and perseverance of the Nobel Prize laureates inspire us and give us hope for the future. Films, in-depth tours, and artefacts tell the stories of the laureates and their contributions “for the greatest benefit to humankind”. Based on the Nobel Prize’s unique combination of fields – natural sciences, literature and peace – we examine the greatest challenges of our time and show how we can respond to them through science, humanism and collaboration. With our exhibitions, school programmes, lectures and conversations, we at the Nobel Prize Museum strive to engage the public in making a better world. Today we are located on Stortorget, the main square in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town district. We are planning to create a new home for our public outreach activities at Slussen in central Stockholm.

Contacts
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