Bobby Fischer wohnt in Pasadena

Bobby Fisher Lives in Pasadena

(Bobby Fischer wohnt in Pasadena)

Translated by Hansjörg Betschart

Deutsch
Cast

2F / 2M

Gunnel has invited her husband, Carl, and their children Ellen (40) and Thomas (32), to the theatre. They expect to harmoniously wrap up the rare get-together in Gunnel's and Carl's apartment that Thomas moved back into after being released from a psychiatric clinic. But the theatre drama continues here, in private: Gunnel's and Carl's marriage has cooled off, as both feel burdened by Thomas' depression and his schizoid episodes. The parents fail to find a reason for this. Thomas finds this amusing, and in return waxes philosophically about madness and normality, and talks about his idol, the chess world champion Bobby Fisher, who "supposedly is always on the run, moving from one hotel to the next.» Ellen, a teacher, is secretly drinking again. Seven years ago, her drinking had prenatally damaged her daughter, who then died soon after birth. The family meeting becomes a fiery beacon. By next morning, all the wounds seem to have healed, and Gunnel, Carl, and Thomas leave for a trip in the country together. But Ellen stays behind, and she will commit suicide in her parent's apartment – something that she had planned long ago.

World premiere
21.10.1990 Schwedisches Fernsehen (Director: Vibeke Bjelke)

German language premiere
6.3.1999 Staatstheater Wiesbaden (Director: Daniel Karasek)

Other premieres
Italian premiere Feb. 2013 Teatro Libero, Palermo (Translator: Annuska Palme Sannavio, Director: Beno Mazzone)
Flemish premiere 14.04.2011 Het Worm Theatre, Rotterdam (Translator: Karst Woudstra)

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