Guardians of the Gods is a newly written play that will be performed in 11 countries across five continents in 2025. The play is part of The Childhood Project, a large international collaboration initiated by Unga Klara in Stockholm, in partnership with Unge Viken Teater in Norway and Svenska Teatern in Helsinki. The world premiere takes place on May 30th in Diyarbakır, Turkey. In Finland, the play premieres on September 3rd on the NICKEN stage at Svenska Teatern with the swedish title Gudarnas väktare.
Carmel DiLiberto (hand on the mirror), Gustav Deinoff, Lisa Marie DiLiberto, Kari Ramnefjell, Tayza Naing, Deniz Göl, Alejandro Vivanco, Diana Meriline, Erik Uddenberg och Rita Lemivaara at Unga Klara in Stockholm. Foto: Sara P Borgström.
The play is based on interviews with children and adults from 11 different countries across five continents. During 2025, it will be performed in all participating countries in their respective languages.
Sometimes adults seem like gods – powerful, protective, and kind, but they can also be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. What adults often overlook is children’s unique ability to see right through them.
Guardians of the Gods explores what unites children across the globe: living in a world ruled by adults. The play is written by Erik Uddenberg.
– It is incredibly rewarding to bring people from around the world together around this universal experience: being a child and adapting to adults, sais Uddenberg.
Directed by Gustav Deinoff, this global project is a unique opportunity that one might only experience once in a lifetime.
– This fantastic play gives a voice to children all over the world and will be both affirming and empowering for everyone who gets to see it, sais Deinoff.
The Largest International Collaboration Ever
In each country, the play is performed by local actors. In the Finnish version at Svenska Teatern, actors Mitja Sirén and Vivi Lindberg will take the stage. Theatre Director Joachim Thibblin is enthusiastic:
– This project brings something truly unique to the Finnish audience – a cross-national shared experience of what it means to be a child in a world ruled by adults.
– We aim to highlight and give space to children’s perspectives. There is also something profoundly unifying about the fact that the same play will be performed simultaneously in so many countries. The international dimension is something we plan to weave into the children’s overall experience using theatre pedagogical tools, sais Thibblin.
The play is part of The Childhood Project – a major international collaboration between the 11 participating theatres. The project aims to promote culture for children and young people worldwide.
– Svenska Teatern continues to focus on providing children and young people with significant theatre experiences. We are approaching Svenska Teatern’s most extensive international collaboration ever with curiosity and pride. Unga Klara always uncompromisingly advocates for children’s rights in both society and art. This partnership is incredibly valuable, sais Thibblin.
The world premiere takes place in Diyarbakır, Turkey, on May 30th.
The Finnish premiere is on September 3rd at the NICKEN stage at Svenska Teatern.
Skådespelare i Actors in Svenska Teatern’s version:
Mitja Sirén and Vivi Lindberg Teaterns version:
Artistic Team:
Playwright/Dramaturge: Erik Uddenberg
Director: Gustav Deinoff
Set and Costume Designer: Deniz Göl
Composer and Sound Designer: Tayza Naing
Choreographer: Diana Meriline
Production Dramaturge: Maria Lundström
Theatres where Guardians of the Gods will be performed:
- Alley Theatre, Houston – USA
- Mordem Arts Centre, Diyarbakır – Turkey
- Theatre Direct, Toronto – Canada
- La Covacha Teatro, Mexico City – Mexico
- Theater Festival/Assitej, Warszawa – Poland
- Unge Viken Teater, Lillestrøm – Norway
- Svenska Teatern, Helsinki – Finland
- Drama for Life, Johannesburg – South Africa
- Prachyanat Theatre, Dhaka – Bangladesh
- Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires – Argentina
- Unga Klara, Stockholm – Sweden
