Director Anna‑Maria Lipponen has established herself over the past decade across Central Europe, the Nordic countries and the Baltics. Now audiences at the Swedish Theatrenhave the chance to experience her distinctive and inspiring approach as she takes on Marius von Mayenburg’s Nattland — a new dark comedy with razor‑sharp dialogue, brought to life in a cinematic staging. The production will be surtitled in English.
Anna‑Maria Lipponen is known for her multilayered, visually striking productions. Throughout her work in Europe, she has explored themes such as freedom, power and social structures. Recently, she was selected from nearly 300 applicants for the Finnish National Opera’s development programme “Sokeritehdas – New Opera Platform.” With Nattland, she is now introduced to audiences at the Swedish Theatre for the first time.
Why did you want to stage Nattland?
“Nattland was written and premiered in Germany in 2022, but unfortunately it feels even more relevant in Finland today than it did four years ago. It’s a brilliantly written comedy with an important message about prejudice and structural racism.
“I think it’s important to use theatre as a way to reflect on why our society looks the way it does right now. Even though the story is set in Germany, the same dynamics are clearly present here as well.
“Mayenburg writes with precision. He doesn’t assign blame; instead, he raises questions and highlights issues in a clever and entertaining way. That’s exactly what I want to amplify — elements that make us question things and see society with fresh eyes.”
What draws you to German drama, and to Mayenburg in particular?
“German drama feels very close to Finnish society, and Nattland is a real gem. The text plays with roles in a way that makes for truly compelling theatre. I’ve seen several of Mayenburg’s productions at Schaubühne in Berlin. His writing is incredibly sharp, full of keen observations about society. At its core, it’s about ordinary people.”
What do you hope the audience will reflect on after seeing the performance?
“I hope, above all, that audiences experience great theatre and have a good laugh — and hopefully leave with something to think about. I want to create a visually engaging production that reflects our society from a fresh perspective. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed and laughed when watching Mayenburg’s plays in Germany.
“When people take themselves completely seriously and refuse to give way, something often becomes unintentionally comic. That insight forms the basis of Mayenburg’s comedy, and it also shapes the actors’ work in this production. The humour here doesn’t come from cheap jokes, but from the characters’ uncompromising nature and their attempts to push beyond their comfort zones.”
Nattland
A black comedy by Marius von Mayenburg
While emptying their father’s house, siblings Nicola and Philipp come across a painting from 1920s’ Vienna, which appears innocuous – until they spot the signature. Suddenly they find themselves embroiled in an absurd dispute over money, prestige, and an inheritance no one wants.
Nattland is a razor-sharp, pitch-black comedy in which history chases present and truth always has a price. With a fast pace, fiery dialogue and unexpected twists, playwright Marius von Mayenburg ramps up both laughter and discomfort until everything reaches a breaking point. Mayenburg once again demonstrates a masterful ability to fuse dark humour with psychological precision.