Three Knives from Wei
In June 1964, during the Stockholm Drama and Arts Festival, Bergman presented the world premiere of Swedish poet Harry Martinson's Three Knives from Wei.
'The most remarkable piece of Swedish theatre I have ever had in my hands.'Ingmar Bergman
About the production
Bergman's production of Martinson's drama in 1964 might be juxtaposed to his staging of Japanese playwright Mishima's Madame de Sade in 1989. Both plays have a predominately female cast and both became visually splendid performances, like courtly masques.
Bergman's production was preceded by months of publicity. Reviewers recognize that the play was a labor of love by Martinson who had been occupied with it for almost a decade, but questioned its dramatic potential. Many suggested that Bergman's role was absolutely crucial in making Martinson's play stage-worthy but considered the production more of a cultural event than a truly memorable theatrical experience. 'The Knives from Wei flashed but left no wounds in the hearts of the audiences.'
Sources
- The Ingmar Bergman Archives.
- Birgitta Steene, Ingmar Bergman: A Reference Guide, (Amsterdam University Press, 2005).
Collaborators
- Inga Tidblad, Shi Mo
- Marianne Aminoff, Chi Yün
- Jane Friedmann, Yu Tan
- Renée Björling
- Sissi Kaiser, Princess Yang
- Solveig Ternström, Li Hua
- Margaretha Krook, Laila
- Dora Söderberg, Wai
- Helena Brodin, Lai Yü
- Mona Malm, Yü Pei
- Gunnel Broström, Nan Fei
- Ellika Mann, Tai Yü
- Lena Nyman, Al-Lu-Te
- Birgitta Valberg
- Irma Christenson
- Aino Taube, Pei the nun
- Christina Lundqvist, Paavo Kiiski
- Marianne Karlbeck
- Sonja Kolthoff
- Mona Andersson
- Kerstin Wartel, Young lady
- Anne Nord, Another young lady
- Lillemor Björnstrand
- Signe Enwall
- Ragnar Falck
- Hans Sundberg
- Karin Kavli
- Morgan Andersson
- Helge Skoog, Courier
- Henrik Schildt, Kong Lu
- Fillie Lyckow
- Birger Malmsten, The carrier
- Per-Olof Ekvall
- Olle Ek
- Beata Bergström, Stills photographer
- Harry Martinson, Author
- Karl-Axel Stridh, Stage manager
- Mercedes Björlin, Choreography
- Kerstin Hedeby, Costume design
- Ulf Björling, Music
- Arne Lundh, Make-up and wigs
- Ingmar Bergman, Director
- Lenn Hjortzberg , Assistant director
- Elisabeth Leijonmarck, Prompter