This chapter delves into the historical legacy of the Italian castrati, examining their pivotal role in the development of opera as an art form through the lens of critical historiography. Often celebrated as the "rock stars" of baroque opera, the castrati were central figures in a premodern celebrity culture that foreshadowed today’s music industry. The concept of transvocality, or "vocal crossdressing," exemplifies a gender-nonconforming vocal tradition deeply rooted in the performing arts.

First, the chapter engages with critical historiographical discourse to assess the impact of the castrati on contemporary transvocal practices, including those of contraltos, countertenors, and mezzo-sopranos. Second, it addresses the abusive methods that underpinned these virtuoso performances, drawing parallels with the physical demands still imposed on performers in disciplines such as classical ballet, circus arts, and piano training. Through this analysis, the chapter illuminates the extreme costs of entertainment and the often-concealed realities behind its allure. Finally, the chapter explores castrati performances in Sweden between 1652 and 1814. Their tours across Europe’s major opera houses sharply contrasted with Sweden’s peripheral status, characterized by its lack of glamorous venues and its emerging opera audience. The introduction of Italian castrati to the Swedish court by Queen Christina and Queen Lovisa Ulrika marked a key moment of cultural exchange, linking European opera traditions with Swedish performing arts.

 Den 4 maj 2023 hade Lillan och Tjorvens lilla teaterguidning premiär på Unga Dramaten. I denna föreställningsvandring tog dragduon HBTQUL, bestående av skådespelarna Razmus Nyström (Lillan) och Per Öhagen (Tjorven), med barn på en lekfull och humoristisk upptäcktsfärd genom teaterhuset. Den uppskattade guidningen avbröts dock av en högerextrem konfrontation, vilket blottlade de konfliktytor som uppstår när frågor om genus, generation och sexualitet möter ideologiskt motstånd. Händelsen kan förstås som en del av det bredare ”kulturkriget”, där konservativa och progressiva positioner kolliderar i kampen om kulturella och etiska värden. I detta bokkapitel analyseras hur denna konflikt manifesteras i en teaterkontext.

This accessible introduction challenges fixed understandings of the geographical or conceptual "origins" of feminist performance, offering a fresh and open-ended guide to the moments and movements that have come to define this vital field.

Designed for weekly use on performance studies courses, each of the book’s ten chapters highlights the key works of feminist performance, including performance art, live art, body art, activism, and theater. These milestones are all linked to acts of rupture and political reanimation, as artists broke with dominant understandings of gender, art, and value, that were taken to be insurmountable and static.

Milestones are a range of accessible textbooks, breaking down the need-to-know moments in the social, cultural, political, and artistic development of foundational subject areas.

This milestone chapter explores the impact of performance theories on feminist thought and practices, establishing a productive alliance between performing arts and gender theories. Using gender theorist Judith Butler’s early work (1988–1993) as a framework, the chapter examines the entwining of feminist and queer theories with performance and performativity, highlighting gender as a performative act. Gender is seen as something performed, with the term performative encompassing both action and theatrical enactment. The chapter directs its focus towards two interrelated phenomena: the notion of gender as performance, and the performative character of gender in relation to theatricality and drag. The chapter also explores the intersection between the concept of the performative, derived from the idea of gender as performance, and philosopher J.L. Austin’s theories of utterance as performative. Additionally, it looks into how the performance of gender, particularly drag, exemplifies the concept of being performative. The chapter raises questions about whether drag can truly challenge fixed gender identities and create space for a queer futurity that embraces fluidity, diversity, and inclusion beyond gender norms.  

Kolumn i Teatertidningen om Tony Kushners Angels i America på Kansallisteatteri (Nationalteatern) i Helsingfors i regi av Linda Wallgren.

En recension av Johan Hiltons bok Den siste teaterdirektören. Berättelsen om Benny Fredriksson.

Milestones in Feminist Performance highlights the significance of ten key milestones in feminist performance. These include performance art, performance activism, performance artivism, and theater, all of which have witnessed a resurgence of interest in core feminist themes rooted in the long struggle against numerous oppressions, especially inequality, and violence toward differently gendered subjects across the world. Contemporary engagement with feminist themes and aesthetics in performance through the milestones we have selected, amplifies the movement’s continuity over time, while signalling a belief in the transformative power of performance in bringing such struggles to light.

 In a world where history has often been written by those in positions of power, the stories and experiences of marginalized communities—particularly those within the queer spectrum—have frequently been overlooked, erased, or distorted. Queer archivism emerges as a powerful and necessary response to this historical neglect, serving not only to preserve the rich and diverse heritage of queer individuals and communities, but also to ensure that these narratives are recognized, valued, and integrated into the broader tapestry of human history.This opening address will explore the critical importance of queer archivism in today’s society, examining its role in unearthing hidden narratives, challenging dominant historical discourses, and fostering a more inclusive understanding of the past. We will discuss the unique challenges faced by queer archivists, including the ethical considerations of handling sensitive material, the complexities of representing diverse gender and sexual identities, and the ongoing struggle against societal prejudices that continue to impact archival practices.Furthermore, this address will highlight the innovative approaches and strategies that queer archivists are employing to create accessible, representative, and dynamic archives. These efforts not only honour the lived experiences of queer individuals, but also empower future generations to understand their identities within a broader historical context. 

En understreckare om Judith Butlers bok Who's Afraid of Gender? i Svenska Dagbladet första april 2024.

En programtext om Askungemyten i Folkoperans programblad till uppsättningen av Gioacchino Rossinis Askungen (Stockholm 2023).