Foto: Sara P Borgström
God's Disobedient Rib
See the other side of the Bible. The unwritten story of women during the birth of Christianity is uncovered in this dramatic, uproarious circus show. Premiere: 2019.
According to the Bible, the first woman was formed from a rib bone of the first man—and that was just the start of the problems.
Through the eyes of acclaimed journalist and author Gunilla Thorgren, we take a different look at the stories in the Bible and uncover a second story – the story of women. With dazzling aerial sequences, terrifying illusions and hilarious commentary, we traverse through the history of the religious text. Confront a millennium of misogyny and oppression and the unrelenting resistance against it – with Thorgren's signature feminist humour as your guide.
In God's disobedient ribs, we follow along as Gunilla Thorgren reads the Bible with feminist glasses. It is an absurd, funny, horror-filled adventure from ancient times to Martin Luther. Join in the search for women's roles and voices, which have not previously been allowed to come forward. How many of the issues we wrestle with today have their origins in the Bible?
How a book about feminism and the Bible became a hit show
Watch the short documentary (in Swedish) about God's Disobedient Rib.
We get to see dramatic, acrobatic plundering; the condemnation of women's sexuality symbolically depicted on a Chinese pole; and beautiful acts that lift significant, historical women's figures.
Circus attacks the church view of women.
Dazzling effects and heavenly rope tricks.
Cast and crew
Creative Team
By Gunilla Thorgren
Stage Version & Direction: Tilde Björfors
Dramatization: Lærke Reddersen, Martina Montelius
Scenography: Fridjon Rafnsson
Costume: Anna Heymowska
Lighting: Patrik Angestav
Music and Sound Design: Samuel “Looptok” Andersson
Wig and Makeup: Lena Strandmark, Marie-Louise Hellberg
Choreography: John Simon Wiborn, Methinee Wongtrakoon
Circus Director: Jesper Nikolajeff
Dramaturg: Anna Kölén, Jacob Hirdwall
Text Dramaturg: Gunilla ThorgrenENSEMBLE
Gunilla: Cecilia Lindqvist
Adam/Pope/Levi/Martin Luther: Sven Boräng
Eva/Karen L King/Hildegard of Bingen/Katharina Zell: Ellen Jelinek
The Serpent/The Old Man/Peter/Constantine the Great/Jesus: Michael Jonsson
The Theologian/Disciple/Saint Bridget: Elin Klinga
The Concubine/Christine De Pizan: Methinee Wongtrakoon
Inanna/Virgin Mary: Marilen Ribot Estelrich
Virgin Mary/Abbess: Fouzia Rakez
Jesus/Enki/Robert of Sorbonne: Hamadi Khemiri
Mary Magdalene: Karoline Aamås
Guglielma/Spokeswoman of the Beguines: Anna LagerkvistCIRCUS CIRKÖR
CEO: Anders Frennberg
Producer: Anna Ljungqvist
Technical Producer: Stefan Karlström
Marketer: Henrik Sundin
Director's Support: Maria LöfgrenMalmö stadsteater
Stage Manager: Kattis Blanking, Kristian Larsson
Prompter: Josefina Johansson
Stage Master: Pontus Karlsson
Assistant Stage Masters: Henrik Gandsjö, Ida Hemlin
Props Master: Linda Täck
Sound Technicians: Jonathan Flygare, Harald Gagge
Lighting Manager: Sven-Erik Andersson
Lighting Technicians: Johanna Lindborg, Robert Claesson
Video Technician: Jimmy Nilsson
Dressers: Lovisa Meeuwisse, Malin Cederberg
Makeup Artists: Åsa Trulsson, Robin Davidsson
Producer: Jerker Pyron
Marketing Manager: Jenny Bång
Communicators: Carin Hebelius, Elias Lanninge, Erik Roman
Sales Manager: David Ringqvist
Salesperson: Sofie Åström
Service Manager: Inger Börjesson
Program Layout: Isabel De Jounge
Acting Technical Manager: Paola Billberg Johansson
Chief Producer: Lisa Ericstam
Lighting Manager: Sven-Erik Andersson
Head of Costume Services: Gyöngyi Balazs
Chief Financial Officer: Leif Jönsson
Cleaning Manager: Linda Lövgren
Chief Assistant: Agneta Nessrup
Theatre Director: Kitte WagnerDramaten
Dramaturg: Anna Kölén, Jacob Hirdwall
Text Dramaturg: Gunilla Thorgren
Rigger: Axel Immler
Stage Manager: Tomas Wennerberg
Prompter: Ida Dåverstam
Assistant Director: Henrik Johansson
Stage Manager: Stephanie Burberry
Assistant Stage Manager: Niklas Ney
Lighting Coordinator: Patrik Angestav
Theatre Technician (Lighting Board): Janne Pihlaja
Theatre Technician (Sound): Hella Collett
B-Sound: Gustav Hällegårdh
Theatre Technician (Properties): Pia Gustafsson Olsson
Theatre Technician (Stage): Love Dahlstedt, Tomas Karlsson
Theatre Technician (Lighting): Adam James
Props Masters: Anders Colliander, Lotta Wallin
Dressers: Michaela Carlsson, Maria Andersson
Play Representative (Communication): Erik Gripenholm
Play Assistant (Carpentry): Johan Norin
Play Assistant (Painting): David Murua
Play Assistant (Properties): Hanna Pettersson
Play Assistant (Upholstery): Susanne Granehag Riismark
Cutters: Brita Silfwerbrand, Mikael Mohlin
Play Assistant (Costume): Kerstin Jeppson
Voice Coach: EwaMaria Roos
Producer: Felicia Moritz MalmcronaIn addition to LoopTok's music with vocals by Maja Långbacka, music by: Jenny Wilson, Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, Hildegard von Bingen
Recorded Voice: Thomas HanzonThe performance is produced at Dramaten. Sets, costumes, masks, and wigs are made in Dramaten's workshops.
"God’s Disobedient Rib" is a co-production between Dramaten, Circus Cirkör, and Malmö City Theater. The world premiere took place on March 21, 2019, on Dramaten’s main stage.