Head into Moln [in English “Clouds”] with Viktoria Dalborg
After a time of pandemic-induced limbo for theatres, the latest show from the Kompani Giraff, Clouds, hits the stage of Stockholmâs 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 Giraffâs 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 showâs 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. Â The true inspiration for Moln, however, is something less well-known to international audiences: Boyeâs poetry. As we learned from Dalborg, âBoyeâs 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 personâs broodings, lifeâs shortcomings, and thoughts about God and the future.â
Moln is a âdream playâ that walks the brink between childhood and adulthood. It brings spectators into the duality of a dark, existential dystopia and the forever-optimistic, âbright cloudsâ moments that coexist within us all.
Stina Oscarson wrote the script of Moln based on Boyeâs poems. Dalborg shared that when she first read the script, she envisioned it as being a theater piece. âI didnât have any ideas for creating a circus performance out of it,” she said. “I put it away in a folder and set it aside for months. Then one day, a colleague saw the script by accident. He said to me, ‘Those lines look almost like song lyrics.’ It was a breakthrough moment: from one second to the next, I just knew that the script would have to be translated into music and then sung, and I knew, at the same time, that the perfect composer for this work was the musician and singer-songwriter, Jonathan Johansson. That was a special moment of clarity for me.â
Molnâs world premiere happened for a small audience in Sundsvall back in April 2021. âThat was the worst period of the pandemic here. During that time, Swedish theatres were not allowed to have audiences much larger than 8 people,â explained Dalborg.
Moln has already begun its tour in Sweden and will play next week in Dansens Hus, Stockholmâs contemporary dance theater. Kompani Giraff is currently exploring international opportunities to tour the show.
.
Find Kompani Giraff and more companies and talent in our Talent, Acts and Shows database.
Talent Seekers: Sign up to PRO today to unlock advanced search functions and casting tools!
.
.
The Cast
.
Meet the Artistic Team
.
Based on poems by Karin Boye
Artists:Â Axel Ahl, Benjamin Beaujard, Elaine Briant och Sara Runsten
Directed by:Â Viktoria Dalborg
Music:Â Jonathan Johansson och David Lindvall
Playwright:Â Stina Oscarson
Set & costume design:Â Sus Soddu
Lighting design:Â Sofie Gynning
Magic consultant:Â Axel Adlercreutz
Mask design:Â Sophie Rockwell
Violin and arrangements:Â Erik Arvinder
Technical production manager: Joakim Björklund
Technical production: Stefan Karlström
Production manager:Â Mette Klouman
.
Showcase your talent!
Complete your profile page and add your act or show to the pool of performers being considered for hire via our talent database.
To be considered for our next PRO member showcase, please email us.Â
.
...Do you have a story to share? Submit your news story, article or press release.