Johan and Marianne appear to be the perfect couple, but this paragon of married life is systematically dismantled scene by scene. Half-truths, lies and deceit lead to the painful decline of their marriage. And yet, they cannot let go. What starts out as the marriage from hell gradually becomes a search for unconditional and selfless love. Scenes from a Marriage depicts the dichotomy between feigned invulnerability and basic emotional needs, between the desire to please others and an uncomfortable self-interest, between believing that we can change and accepting our own failings.
Illuminating Bergman’s world, Ivo van Hove’s theatrical adaptation invites audiences to intimate onstage spaces in which three sets of actors portray Johan and Marianne at different ages. Simultaneous performances converge, bringing their universal battle for love, identity and understanding to a surprising conclusion.
Ingmar Bergman
Drawing on almost thirty years of marriage experience with five different spouses, Ingmar Bergman (1918–2007) was able to write the screenplay to his hit film “Scenes From A Marriage” in three months. Bergman felt a strong connection with his lead characters Johan and Marianne: “I became very fond of these people during the writing process. They generally talk a lot of nonsense, but now and again will say something of substance. They are nervous, happy, egotistical, stupid, friendly, wise, willing to make sacrifices, affectionate, angry, loving, sentimental, insufferable and endearing”.
Ivo van Hove
«Scenes from marriage» shows us how man is forced to rely on himself in a world without God, how in Western civilization he is at risk of losing his identify, and how difficult it is to live in our open society.
Director – Ivo van Hove
Actors: Laura de Boer, Roeland Fernhout, Janni Goslinga, Suzanne Grotenhuis, Hugo Koolschijn, Hadewych Minis, Celia Nufaar, Alwin Pulinckx, Benjamin de Wit, Sigrid ten Napel
Author – Ingmar Bergman
Dramaturge – Bart van den Eynde
Translation – Karst Woudstra
Scenographer, costume design – Jan Versweyveld
Costume design – Wim van Vliet
Assistant director – Jorinde Keesmaat
Assistant scenographer – Roel Huisman
Casting – Hans Kemna – Marc van Bree
Coproducer – Kaaitheater
Head of technique & production department – Wolf-G?tz Schw?rer
First stage manager – Arist Richartz
Production leader – Angelina Kroft
Publicity – Mette Raaphorst
