Nine European theatres paint a picture of Europe during the pandemic

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, adapted by dramatist´s, 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.

Berliner Ensemble, Berlin, Germany – Der Zweifel/The doubt
Real life report from a doctor in corona times.
Dramatist: Michael de Ridder, Tobias Kluge (interview partners)  Actor: Gerrit Jansen

Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria
A monologue based on a conversation with a Hungarian cleaning lady working in Vienna. 
Actor: Annamaria Lang

The Royal Dramatic Theatre, Stockholm, Sweden – I´m on Forced Medication
A man who is on forced medication loses his job in the Covid19-crisis and gets time to reflect.
Dramatist: Tanja Lorentzon/Bergman Studio Director: Nadja Weiss Actor: Omid Khansari

The Royal Dramatic Theatre, Stockholm, Sweden – The Sickest Patient
A patient with severe leukemia is rejected treatment because the doctors suspect that he might have Covid-19.
Dramatist: Jacob Hirdwall/Bergman Studio Director: Nadja Weiss Actor: Johan Holmberg

Katona József Theatre, Budapest, Hungary – I am at least doing something
Volunteer in the Cataclysm.
Dramatist: Tamara Török Director: Gábor Máté Actor: Dávid Vizi

National Theatre, London, England – Forgotten People
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

The Royal Danish Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark – Hands On
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 Actor: Stine Schrøder

The Royal Danish Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark – Whatever the Authorities Say
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 Actor: Fanny Louise Bernth

Teatre Lliure, Barcelona, Spain – Vulnerables
A witness of the pandemic in Spain.
Dramatist: Eduard Alejandre/Carles Fernández Giua/Eugenio Szwarcer Director: Carles Fernández Giua Actor: Eduard Alejandre

Teatro Stabile di Torino, Turin, Italy – The phone call 
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 Actor: Iris Fusetti 

Teatro Stabile di Torino, Turin, Italy – The rabbit hutch
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 Actor: Fausto Paravidino 

Teatro Stabile di Torino, Turin, Italy – The stone face
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 Actor: Daniele Natali 

Thalia Theater, Hamburg, Germany – Cigarette break
Interview with an employee in the supermarket.
Dramatist: Emilia Heinrich/André Szymanski Regi: Luca Kowalinski/Emilia Heinrich/ André Szymanski Actor: André Szymanski

Thalia Theater, Hamburg, Germany  – Lunch break
Interview with a social worker for young people in precarious situations.
Dramatist: Peter Thiers  Director: Luca Kowalinski/Emilia Heinrich/ Rafael Stachowiak  Actor: Rafael Stachowiak 

Thalia Theater, Hamburg, Germany – Coffee break 
Interview with a nurse in a residence for people in need with assistance (with disabilities).
Dramatist: Thomas Köck Director: Luca Kowalinski/Emilia Heinrich/ Cathérine Seifert Actor: Cathérine Seifert 

Stories from Europe: Crisis and Reflection premiere at dramaten.se on Friday, June 12, at noon.