Astrid von Rosen

Fredag (Friday), 11:35–12:05, H135b

Affiliering (affiliation): Göteborgs universitet 

Abstract

"Dreaming Nature: Scenographic approaches to Strindberg’s A Dream Play"

This paper explores nature as scenographic agent in theatre productions of Strindberg’s early 20th century drama A Dream Play. Ranging from pioneering stagings to stunning interpretations in our current time, the selected productions will span over a hundred years of vital scenographic engagement with one of Strindberg’s most challenging dramas. Productions addressed in the paper are: (1) The debated 1907 world première at Svenska teatern in Stockholm, scenographed by Carl Grabow (von Rosen and Szalczer 2020, 2022). (2) Swedish scenographer Knut Ström’s occultist version at Schauspielhaus Düsseldorf 1915-1918 (von Rosen 2010, 2016). (3) A nightmarish production from Nationaltheatret in Olso 2014, scenographed by Rebecca Ringst and including fragments from Strindberg’s Inferno (von Rosen 2015). (4) Scenographer Chrisander Brun’s hyper-modern interpretation at Folkteatern in Gothenburg 2023. Theoretically the paper mobilizes new scenography theory to analyse the multisensory ways features from nature craft felt atmospheres in resonance with other theatrical techniques.

Om (about): 

Astrid von Rosen is professor of art history and visual studies, and director of the Centre for Critical Heritage Studies at the University of Gothenburg. Drawing on new scenography theory she has contributed significantly to the historiography of Strindberg’s A Dream Play. Among her recent publications are Scenography and Art History: Performance Design and Visual Culture (Bloomsbury 2021/2023) and the chapter “Scenography: From marginalized study object to vital theoretical concept” in Swedish art historiography: Institutionalization, identity, and practice (Nordic Academic Press 2022).