Stockholm: sub-text

Understanding Stockholm’s Sub-Text

Sub-text is a critical part of understanding Stockholm, it refers to the underlying meanings or themes that are not explicitly mentioned in the dialogue.
The characters of Kali and Todd often communicate via unspoken signals and non-verbal communication, which can be considered a form of sub-text.
Dialogue serves to reveal sub-text in many instances, where characters say one thing but imply something else. This breeds a culture of passive aggression and hidden meanings.

Control and dominance are heavily implied themes in Stockholm. By studying the sub-text, we can see a power struggle where Todd often seeks to assert dominance over Kali.
The sub-text also delves into the concept of Stockholm syndrome, where a captive develops affection for their captor. Kali’s relationship with Todd is symbolic of this psychological phenomenon.
One of the most prevalent themes in the sub-text is the cycle of abuse. This is represented by the cycle of violence, apologies, and an ever-deepening bond between Kali and Todd.

Both Kali and Todd’s characters reveal hidden desires and fears through the subtext. For example, their decision to stay together despite the violent nature of their relationship hints at their fear of isolation and loneliness.
The characters ‘hide’ their real emotions behind layers of pretence and denial, which can be deciphered through careful examination of the subtext.
Kali’s dancing can be seen as her trying to attain a sense of freedom, a desire expressed via non-verbal sub-text. Meanwhile, Todd’s control over the meticulously planned birthday surprise for Kali reflects his need for control and dominance.

Depicting sub-text in a stage performance requires visual narration – improvisation, self-talk, gestural communication, and choreography are employed to convey the sub-textual elements to the audience.
Sub-text can significantly influence the audience’s perception of the characters and their motivations. The audience may sympathise, empathise, or feel provoked by the character’s actions, based on their interpretation of the sub-text.
Integral to the audience’s experience is the portrayal of the Internal Emotional Landscape of the characters. Physical elements such as dance and mise en scène can reveal what is left unsaid, influencing the audience’s reaction.