Schyffert was asked if he wanted to direct a play with Krister Henriksson and Marie Göranzon – "Slutspel" by Samuel Beckett.
I am totally unqualified but how hard can it be, I thought, with zero self-insight, he says.
Even though Henrik Schyffert has 40 years of experience from the film and humor scene, the theater is new territory for him. He started by interviewing the two actors about their lives, something he wanted to incorporate into the play. But it ended with him instead writing a new play, which premieres at Scalateatern on February 13 next year.
They are very funny, those two. It's a privilege to get to sit and listen to them, and that's what we'll show.
Life-threatening narcotics
The play takes place in a TV lounge while waiting for the actors to participate in a TV channel's big "myspysprogram". It's about having devoted one's life to the stage. But when do you put a stop to it?
What is that hole you're supposed to fill with confirmation, that someone applauds for you every night, then you go and take the bus. That clip is so cold. It's a life-threatening narcotic, says Henrik Schyffert.
A life on stage also has consequences. Marie Göranzon talks about not feeling like herself – since she's always played someone else.
I sit and think "who am I really" when you've stood on stage so much. Am I all these roles or am I Marie sometime? I am that with my children and grandchildren, but it's a question you can ask yourself.
Fearless
The play also makes fun of today's talk shows. In the past, you could see actors talking about Shakespeare on TV for an hour. Now they have to go out on a recording and stand and show how they make Janssons temptation, says Henrik Schyffert in amazement.
They have to go out on a recording and stand and chop onions with some celebrities. Why is that our job all of a sudden? Suddenly you're sitting in a podcast and talking about having testicular cancer, he says.
It's also about approaching the end of life. And when everyone is worried about their personal brands, it's liberating with some who are no longer so anxious, thinks Schyffert. Marie Göranzon agrees.
We're not so afraid to say "this was the worst crap I've seen". We know our lives are not at stake anymore. We play because it's fun, it's a bonus in life. And it's a bonus that Henrik wants to devote himself to two old people.
