Theater
“Two lords’ servants”
By Carlo Goldoni. Directed by Stefan Marling. Translation, adaptation, lyrics: Nina Pontén. Set design & costume: Marcus Olsson, Petra Hjortsberg Möller. Music / sound: Jakob Norin. Light: Jan Pettersson. Mask: Klara Jorméus. In the roles: Kim Sulocki, Charles Challis, Simon Edenroth, Anna Jankert, Malin Karlsson, Moa Niklasson, Stina Nordberg, Alexander Ohakas and more. Scene: Romateatern. Playing time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Played until August 16.
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Surely he has ants in the brallorna this Truffaldino, aka Kim Sulocki. In the middle of the 18th century, Carlo Goldoni wrote him into theater history as an intelligent spearman, a harlequin who captured the day and the occasions. And of course, in the end, the heart of the temperamental maid Smeraldina. In 2022, Sulocki – with his dance background – now makes Truffaldino squirm across the large evening-lit Roma stage with bounces in the steps, glitter in his eyes and a fox behind each ear.
So yes, after two closed pandemic years, Romateatern’s beautiful stage room, director Stefan Marling and the ensemble offer “light theater”. All on the fact that for a few hours we get a small, small break from the worries of the world. For the third time since the start in 1989, they now also play something other than Shakespeare.
But of course Carlo Goldoni, often called Italy’s Molière, arm hook with old Will’s comedies. Here there are entanglements and confusions and of course, here Malin Karlsson’s Beatrice dresses up in men’s clothes and loose mustache to find her beloved Florindo (Charlie Challis). Anna Jankert’s Pantalona points distinctly with her whole hand as she negotiates who will be allowed to marry her daughter Clarice. As if Moa Niklasson’s Clarice would consider following her mother’s directive, she soon gives her finger to everything and of course eventually gets her Silvio as well. Simon Edenroth makes him a theatrical long-legged man in gold tights, a man who goes through water and wine for his bride. Drinkjom is also more than happy to be served by Alexander Ohaka’s restaurant manager with Gothenburg idiom.
And through it all, in almost every scene, Kim Sulocki’s humorous portrayal of Truffaldino, this comedy figure in a harlequin checkered vest and a Jack Nicholson hat, runs at an angle. The interaction between him and Stina Nordberg’s Smeraldina is cheeky and fun. Sometimes, for example, when the two are about to peek at one of many important letters, but lack the ability to read, it is almost touching. A conspiracy of the fools in love.
Light theater, as I said, where the anachronisms beat somersaults, the costumes swing between hard rock and sweeping skirts and the dramaturgy sometimes gets a little dizzy. But never mind. The ensemble is playful and sharp, this year’s Roma gives us a summer night’s smile. Good so.
Read more of DN’s stage reviews, and more texts by Pia Huss.