The Royal Dramatic Theatre

"The Royal Dramatic Theatre (Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern), often referred to as Dramaten, is Sweden's national stage for spoken drama. It was founded in 1788 and stages approximately one thousand performances each year across its five stages. Since 1908, the theatre has been housed in an Art Nouveau building at Nybroplan in Stockholm, designed by architect Fredrik Lilljekvist. Renowned artists such as Carl Milles, Carl Larsson, and Prince Eugen contributed to its interior and decorative features. Dramaten's acting school, the Royal Dramatic Training Academy, has trained many prominent figures in theatre and film, including Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Max von Sydow, and Bibi Andersson. In 1967, the school became a separate institution, now known as the Swedish National Academy of Mime and Acting. The theatre's origins trace back to the 17th century when the first Swedish theatre opened in Bollhuset, employing foreign companies. Over time, the Swedish theatre scene evolved, and in 1788, King Gustav III founded Sweden’s national stage for dramatic art, separating it from the Royal Swedish Opera. Initially governed by actors under royal protection, the management system was chaotic, leading to the appointment of a director in 1803. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Royal Dramatic Theatre faced various challenges, including fires, strikes, and competition from other Stockholm theatres. After its playhouse burned down in 1825, the theatre shared premises with the Royal Opera until moving to its own venue in 1863. It thrived in its new home, staging influential works by Ibsen, Chekhov, and Strindberg. In the early 20th century, the theatre's aging facilities led to the construction of its current building at Nybroplan. The new theatre opened in 1908 with a performance of Strindberg's *Mäster Olof*. Since then, it has hosted legendary Swedish directors such as Olof and Gustaf Molander, Alf Sjöberg, and Ingmar Bergman, shaping Sweden’s theatrical landscape."