After a time of pandemic-induced limbo for theatres, the latest show from the Kompani Giraff, Clouds, hits the stage of Stockholm’s International Scene of Contemporary Dance (Dansens Hus) on February 11. Blending together acrobatics, dance, poetry, and live music, Clouds promises to bring its audience on a journey through the darkness and light that exist in every one of us.  The helmswoman of this production is Giraff’s Artistic and Stage Director Viktoria Dalborg,alongside with her Artist Director partners, Sus Soddu and Axel Adlercreutz.  In our conversation with Viktoria, she offered some insights into the show’s themes and development.

Moln— or “Clouds” in English– has been inspired by the life and work of Swedish writer Karin Boye (1900-41), best known outside Sweden for her famous dystopian novel, Kallocain, which depicts a totalitarian state.  The true inspiration for Moln, however, is something less well-known to international audiences: Boye’s poetry. As we learned from Dalborg, “Boye’s poetry is about themes such as the pain of imperfection in a world where perfection is desired. She also explores existential topics such as a young person’s broodings, life’s shortcomings, and thoughts about God and the future.” Moln is a “dream play” that walks the brink between childhood and adulthood. It brings spectators into the duality of a dark, existential dystopia and the forever-optimistic, “bright clouds” moments that coexist within us all. Stina Oscarson wrote t...