Peter M. Floyd

In February of 2017, Absence (or Assenze) received its Italian premiere at the Accademia Teatrale Francesco Campogalliani in Mantua, a production directed by Mario Zolin from a translation by Antonia Brancati. I had worked with Antonia on the translation, and I knew it was going to be a splendid production. Alas, I was not able to see it, as my back chose that time to go out of whack, and I spent much of that winter hobbling about with a cane, bent into a question mark.

I am therefore overjoyed to announce that Assenze will be revived at the theater, playing from February 9th to the 24th, and this time my back is playing ball and allowing me to remain upright. I will thus be able to attend opening night, and finally see the show in glorious Italian!

The reviews of the 2017 run were raves, singling out the performance of Francesca Campogalliani as “magnificent” and “masterfully dramatic” (if Google Translate is being trustworthy).

If you happen to be in Mantua this February (and why wouldn’t you be?) I hope to see you there.

Assenze
Accademia Teatrale Francesco Campogaliani
Mantua, Italy
February 9 – February 24

Earlier this month, Vinita and I had the supreme pleasure of visiting Sweden as a guest of the Riksteatern, the company that is sending Försvinnandet (also known as Absence) on tour through the country. We were able to see the final dress rehearsal before the tour commenced, and then we attended the opening performance in the small but lively town of Surahammar.

The show (a revival of a production presented by Dalateatern earlier this year) was a vibrant and powerful Swedish-ized version of the play, as translated by Eleanora De Loughery Nordin and directed by Åsa Ekberg. Eleanora and Åsa are also part of the richly talented cast led by Maria Selbing in a powerful and moving performance as Ellen.

While we were thrilled to see the production, Vinita and I were most impressed by the generosity and warmth of everyone we met, from the cast and crew of the show to the Riksteatern administrators to the citizens of Surahammar. Everywhere we went, we were treated as honored guests. We were particularly impressed by the work of the Riksteatern, which produces dozens of shows, large and small, every year, and sends them out on tours through the cities and towns of Sweden.

Försvinnandet  continues on tour through November 23rd. A complete schedule can be found here.

The Scandinavians, it seems, cannot get enough of Absence (this is the part of the world that gave us Ibsen and Strindberg, so they do their depressing plays). The play is getting revivals of its productions in both Norway and Sweden this year.

As Fravær, the play opened in at the Oslo Teater Nye in Oslo (where else?) in September of 2015. The play had a successful run, with great crowds and positive reviews, and the theater is now, two years later, producing it again with mostly the same cast, including Marit Østbye reprising her wonderful, Hedda Award-nominated performance as Helen. The revival opened on August 23 (which is my birthday, just sayin’) and will run through September 22. Click here to order tickets.

In Sweden, the play (known as Försvinnandet) was produced by Dalateatern in Falun this past winter/spring (from February through April). This fall, it goes on tour through the country sponsored by the Riksteatern, starting with a performance in Surahammar on October 2 (I plan to be present that evening) through November 23. Click here to get a full schedule and to order tickets.

I’m humbled and honored (and actually a bit giddy) to have the play come back to Norway and Sweden. It’s a real sign that Helen’s situation is one that we all face eventually, whether through family, friends, or our own selves.

Fravær
Oslo Nye Trikkestallen
Oslo, Norway
August 23 – September 22

Försvinnandet
Riksteatern
Many towns, Sweden
October 2 – November 23

On Wednesday, April 26, there will be a one-night-only presentation of Absence  at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg, PA, presented by the Newhaven Court at Linwood, an assisted living facility. The production is directed by Michael Anton, and feature Linda Stayer as Helen Bastion.

All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Here is a link to a press release about the production, including an interview with the director.

The play starts at 7:00 PM at the Palace Theater. Tickets may be purchased here, or by calling the box office at 724-836-8000.

Palace Theatre
21 W. Otterman St
Greensburg, PA 15601.
April 26, 2017

Update: Before the show went up, I was interviewed by Shirley McMarlin of the Greensburg Tribune-Review for an article about the production.

The productions of Absence in Sweden and Italy are now history. I had hoped to attend, but due to health issues (my back chose the wrong moment to misbehave) I had to stay stateside. The Swedish production will be revived this fall, however, and go on a tour through several cities.

In the meantime, there are some lovely pictures available of both productions in my galleries.

Försvinnandet (Swedish)

Assenze (Italian)

I’m grateful to Dalateatern and Teatro Campogalliani to bringing Absence to new audiences in new languages.