Stockholm: form

Stockholm: form

Overview of Stockholm’s Form

  • Stockholm is a prime example of a contemporary drama, characterised by its innovative form that combines elements of physical theatre, dance, and dramatic narrative.
  • The play was first presented by Frantic Assembly, a British theatre company known for their inventive use of movement, design, and text.
  • Stockholm’s form innovatively intersects between spoken language, body language, and dance, putting equal emphasis on all three forms of expression.

Form and Language

  • The language in Stockholm is highly stylised and poetic, full of rich imagery and emotive language.
  • The dialogue alternates between realistic conversation and lyric monologues, accentuating the juxtaposition between reality and inner emotional turmoil.
  • Meaning is conveyed not only through words, but equally through movement. The physicality of the characters augments the dialogue and offers more profound insights into the characters’ thoughts and feelings.

Dance and Physicality

  • Stockholm distinctively combines realism with physical theatre, using dance and movement as a unique form of storytelling.
  • Choreographed dance sequences blend seamlessly with the narrative, reflecting the characters’ emotional states and the power dynamics of their relationship.
  • The physical language serves as a tool to parallel and also counterpoint verbal exchanges between characters, creating contrast and tension.

Imagery and Symbolism

  • Form in Stockholm is also heavily reliant on imagery and symbolism. Visual metaphors, ranging from props to lighting, accentuate the thematic content of the play.
  • The scenery of Stockholm, the idealised city, contrasts with the volatile interaction of Kali and Todd, creating a multilayered aesthetic.

Form and Audience Reception

  • The form of Stockholm, with its merge of spoken text and physical movement, can be seen as a dialogue with the audience, inviting them to decode and interpret the layers of the characters’ relationship.
  • Dramatic tension, created through dance and physical sequences, makes the audience emotionally invested in the narrative, eliciting varied responses.
  • The innovative form of the play challenges traditional notions of drama, offering new possibilities for story-telling in contemporary theatre.