Henrik Dorsin's previous production at Scalateatern in Stockholm was like in the heyday of revues in another century, a mix of different numbers. But the revue king's new creation has a more cohesive idea.
"Swedish Revue" is about Sweden – or rather, the People's Home, with kuplets and sketches often performed to national romantic music.
It started with me thinking about what music would be included, and there's so much folk music that's fun. And then people talk about taking back Swedish values. What is that? Then these two pieces fell into place. That's how the idea was born, says Henrik Dorsin.
Narrow-mindedness
The most important thing is to be funny, says Dorsin. But the sting in many of the texts is sharp and directed also at modern phenomena and politicians.
It's maybe more of a right-wing view to think that you shouldn't make fun of proud Sweden. But at the same time, we're also making fun of "woke" and stuff like that. It's more fun to poke at narrow-mindedness, says Dorsin.
In a sketch in the second act, which largely takes place in a folk park, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party), SD leader Jimmie Åkesson, and Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (The Moderate Party) are ridiculed. Dorsin, however, does not want to see it as the revue taking a political stance.
In the previous revue, it was Stefan Löfven who got the most whipping, and then he was the Prime Minister.
Bullshit
Henrik Dorsin is not impressed by the political climate.
What I have a hard time with, no matter where it comes from, is bullshit. Like Trump, who says in a debate that in some states you can have an abortion in the ninth month. That's not true.
He continues:
And it's also present among our politicians, that they say something and you think: "But that's not true". It bothers me.
Dorsin, like in the previous revue at Scalateatern, is joined on stage by Vanna Rosenberg and Johan Ulveson.
It's important when you're going to stand on stage and perform over 100 shows that you get along with each other. And I think it also shows. Both Vanna and Johan are also very all-round, they can sing, dance decently, and are very good actors. And they're not afraid to get dirty when it gets close to slapstick, praises Henrik Dorsin.
"Swedish Revue" premieres at Scalateatern in Stockholm on September 15.
Many wonder when Henrik Dorsin's "other" humor gang Grotesco will reunite, where, among others, Per Andersson and Emma Molin are included. They haven't worked together since 2017 – and it looks like it will take a while.
It's hard to get it together. Everyone has their own careers, and I think we need to get a concrete assignment for something, says Dorsin and adds:
Right now, there's nothing concrete, but there was an idea that we would form a Grotesco Party for the 2026 election. Which would be fake, but still do online stuff, our own debates, and create our own politicians. It felt like a fun idea, but the risk with that is that you... get elected, he says and laughs.
