Queen Christina of Sweden was a rather unusual monarch for her time; not only did she pursue traditionally ”male” interests, but also suddenly abdicated her throne in 1654 and converted to Catholicism. In her new play Dis – drottning Christina talar vid en häst (unofficial translation: Dis – Queen Christina speaks by a horse), Swedish-speaking playwright Sofia Aminoff imagines Christina’s mental scenery post-abdication after relocating to Rome.
The play is an inner monologue by Christina, but also a dialogue of sorts, as the titular horse Dis has a strong presence throughout. It maintains a meditative pace which allows time to register the smallest of Christina’s actions, while plunging into deep and thought-provoking themes.
The importance of Dis and horsemanship in general for Christina unravels as she describes her deep-set insecurities regarding gender identity, self-worth and a confusing relationship with her mother, of whom she was kept distant as soon as she inherited the throne. In her favourite horse Dis, Christina sees the beauty, power, and freedom which she craves for herself and finally finds possible to pursue. The unique combination of great power and subtle lightness presented in a horse is a thought to which Christina keeps returning.
