A forbidden love story in a free religious village in 1950s Västerbotten.
Vajlett and Rut is dramatized by Ninna Tersman and is based on the first two books in Karin Alfredsson's trilogy. Karin Enberg is the director.
About the show
The young teacher Vajlett comes to Granträskåsen to teach the village children. Most of the villagers are members of the local Pentecostal church, and Vajlett soon realizes that she is not considered godly enough as a teacher.
At the same time, there is gossip about the newly moved-in postwoman Ruth. She has short hair and lives without a husband despite being over 35 years old. Ruth and Vajlett get to know each other and against her will Vajlett realizes that she is falling in love. The fear of being exposed takes its toll on the relationship between Vajlett and Ruth, which becomes increasingly fragile. Homosexuality at this time is not only considered ungodly, shameful and distasteful - it was considered a disease and, until 1944, a crime.
The heart of the story, apart from the secret love, is a depiction of a free religious village at a time when modern Swedish society is beginning to emerge, while strong religious traditions remain. Of all the characters in the novels, 21 are in the play. They are played by four actresses; Ellenor Lindgren and Sonja Lindblom from Västerbottensteatern and Sanna Krepper and Marika Holmström from Riksteatern. These four female actors bring to life all the characters in the village, such as school caretaker Krok, village elder Adalbert and his wife Agda, magistrate Forsberg, Astrid in the trading post, pupil Lilly Grahn, mother of five Hulda Johansson, and of course Vajlett and Rut.
Newly composed music and atmospheric scenery
Composer Magnus Larsson has produced brand new music for the performance, which, together with Kin Isaksson's lighting, expresses the moods and emotions of people, the grandeur of nature and the changing seasons. Playful transitions between scenes are choreographed by Kajza Rauhala, with set and costume design by Anna Dolata. Helena Andersson is responsible for the mask and wig.
Cooperation between Västerbottensteatern and Riksteatern
Vajlett och Rut is produced by Västerbottensteatern in collaboration with Riksteatern. The show is produced at Västerbottensteatern in Skellefteå where it premieres on January 31, 2024 and plays in Sara kulturhus during February before going on a nationwide tour until the end of May. Read more about Riksteatern's tour in spring 2024: https://www.riksteatern.se/vajlettochrut
Read the press release here
PRESS AND AUDIENCE QUOTES
- It is easy to fall in love with "Vajlett & Rut" ... It is a fantastic metamorphosis and I am impressed by how cowards in caps are soon seriously perceived as life-threatening ... the ensemble soon fills the stage with life, laughter and pain. - Pia Huss, Dagens Nyheter
- When theater is good, time flies and you gasp in surprise when the performance is suddenly over... ❤️ Vajlett and Rut - what a strong story, what brilliant acting, what a fine production! Big and warm thanks to the cast and the whole production team! You are so good! ❤️ - Audience Voice
- Incredible acting, as always. - Audience vote
- Fantastically good. - Audience vote
- Thank you for a nice performance with a lot of thought but also with humor present.
- Fantastic by the four actors to so excellently succeed in portraying so many different characters!
Highly recommended! - Audience vote
ENGLISH:
Vajlett & Rut
A forbidden love story set in a free-religious village in 1950s Västerbotten. The play is based on the first two books of Karin Alfredsson’s trilogy.
The young teacher Vajlett arrives in Granträskåsen in Västerbotten, where most of the villagers are members of the local Pentecostal congregation. There is talk and gossip about the newly arrived postmistress Rut. She, with her short-cropped hair, lives without a husband, despite being over 35 years old. Vajlett and Rut get to know each other, and against her will, Vajlett realizes that she is falling in love. Homosexuality was considered ungodly, shameful, and distasteful, and as an illness and a crime until 1944. The fear of being exposed wears on Vajlett and Rut’s relationship, and the bond becomes increasingly fragile.
Västerbottensteatern in collaboration with Riksteatern.
