Den enfaldige mördaren

Inspired by Hans Alfredson's film "Den Enfaldige Mördaren" and the book "En Ond Man - idiotens berättelse".

The quiet Sven Olsson lives in the shadows in 1930s Sweden. Because of his speech impediment and his appearance, he is excluded from the community, reduced to someone people laugh at or overlook. He is a kind and caring person, someone who tries to do the right thing and look after others, but that very quality also makes him vulnerable. He dreams of escaping poverty, of being seen, of being treated as a human being.

At a time when anyone who does not fit in can easily end up at the bottom of the hierarchy, it is others who set the rules. Factory owner Höglund starts out as a man who seizes opportunities wherever he can. When he feels threatened, he becomes harder, step by step, until power matters more than people. Höglund enjoys controlling, ridiculing and belittling others. He does it with charm, with assurance, with a smile – until no one reacts any more.

The story is based on Hans Alfredson's 1980 novel En ond man and the subsequent cult film. Now the material is being brought to the stage in a new adaptation by playwright Dennis Magnusson and director Dennis Sandin. Together, they have previously created notable productions such as Dylansällskapet and Kikkiland.

Cast: Lennart Jähkel, Einar Bredefeldt, Jessica Liedberg, Dag Malmberg, Angelika Prick and Joel Valois.

Running time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Creative team:

Written by: Dennis Magnusson, based on a novel by Hans Alfredson.

Director: Dennis Sandin

Set/Costume design: Stine Martinsen

Composition and sound design: Mikael Svanervik

Make-up: Anna Olofson

Dramaturg: Jani Lohikari

Publisher: Colombine Teaterförlag

Organised in collaboration with Årsta Folkets Hus and ABF, with support from the City of Stockholm and the district administrations of Enskede-Årsta-Vantör, Hägersten-Älvsjö and Skarpnäck.