The national scenes are rusting for corona-adapted autumn

First out on Dramaten's small stage this fall is Liv Strömquist thinking of himself based on the serial album The Reddest Rose Strikes Out. William Spetz makes his Dramatende debut in the show which has its premiere on September 11.

- The ensemble starts reading the script next week. At a distance, of course, and then there will be corona-safe rehearsals, says Mattias Andersson.

What the restrictions with the corona pandemic will look like this autumn is still unclear and the Dramaten is working on several different scenarios for the autumn premiere.

- We drive like we get open with a full audience, but we have other plans if it can't. We try to find fun concepts with how to place the audience. How to lock the audience in at safe distances can also be part of the performance.

- I am convinced that we will also continue with outreach theater.

The first opera at the Royal Opera is the singer-songwriter and indie icon Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna. It is based in the life of opera icon Maria Calla, who isolated herself for a long time after losing her voice.

"You can associate it with the situation we now have with the pandemic, how to suffer from sitting in isolation for a long time," says Opera manager Birgitta Svendén.

The opera is written for a large orchestra and will need to be adapted if the restrictions persist.

- I have asked Rufus and the conductor to rewrite the orchestral material for a smaller orchestra so that the musicians can keep a sufficient distance in the orchestra dike, says Birgitta Svendén.

The opera works to, in one way or another, be able to carry out the planned performances. They will continue with their digital streaming service, but it is not yet decided which of the fall premieres will be available there.

The National Theater has not yet released its program for the autumn but some titles can be revealed by theater director Dritëro Kasapi.

- We have many international co-productions including The Quest by and with Cedric Eelehot and we also invest in newlywed drama.

- Our large production is our strength but in pandemic times it becomes a weakness. Since we travel all over Sweden, we are severely affected by travel restrictions and regional restrictions.

Due to the pandemic, Riksteatern has decided to post the tour business outside Stockholm from September to October and the rehearsals are of course corona adapted.

- You don't repeat scenes where you are close or kiss each other, says Dritëro Kasapi.