“Lysistrata’s Dance
Beneath the moon, on marble stone,
The women rose, their bodies flown.
Lysistrata led with a laugh, a spark,
A fire that burned through the trembling dark.

No silk sheets called, no beds of lust,
Only the rhythm, fierce and just.
Bare feet whispered across the ground,
As men stood still, their wills unbound.

As wallflowers, the men stood, dismayed,
While their women laughed and swayed.
It wasn’t the women left behind,
But men who pined with hearts confined.

She spun in circles, arms raised high,
Defying beds, where weak hearts lie.
A rebel’s dance, no kiss, no touch,
Could match the message, strong and such.

“We dance for power, we dance for peace,
No more are we tools for your release.
Our hips may sway, but not for you—
A woman’s worth is long past due.”

The tambourines rang out like swords,
It was a silent war without sharp words.
The men grew restless, their voices thin,
For how can love be forced to win?

And so they danced, a victory clear,
Each step is a claim unbent by fear.
It was the men who sat in rows,
The ones who waited were full of throes.

Lysistrata laughed, her spirit free,
“No chains, no bonds, no hold on me.
We choose our dance, our time, our fight,
And sleep alone in strength tonight.”

The women twirled, their chorus bold,
A story told, both new and old.
For freedom comes not soft nor coy,
But through the dance, they claimed their joy.
Malmö, December 2024

Lysistrata Dances

The Nöjesteatern’s venture into reimagined classic plays continued to thrive. The collaboration between Frida Kahlo and the director led to one success after another, and Frida hadn’t seen her star for what felt like an eternity—though in eternity, time is relative since it technically stands still. On rare occasions, Frida took a wormhole near Lomma that ended not far from her star, spending a few days basking in the warmth. Otherwise, friends from different times and dimensions travelled to Earth to witness Frida’s interpretations of great female personalities on stage.

For each production, Frida ensured that other legends from eternity graced the Nöjesteatern’s stage. Selecting Melina Mercouri for the lead role in the revamped version of the classic comedy ‘Lysistrata’ was an obvious choice. She had already performed the role masterfully during her lifetime on Earth. The Greek actress and politician played Lysistrata in a Greek production that became an international sensation in the 1960s. Her intensity and patriotism lent the role a profound national and feminist dimension.

Frida herself took on the role of Kalonike, Lysistrata’s close friend and one of the first women convinced to join the plan. Kalonike, often portrayed as a more lighthearted and humorous character, represents “the average Athenian woman.” Quick-witted and embodying a more traditional view of women’s roles, she was a character tailor-made for Frida. Her unique interpretation added an intriguing dimension to the production, leaving the audience captivated.

Act 1: A Boycott is Born
Scene: A Grey Office Building at Svenska Kraftnät

Margarita, a brilliant energy coordinator of Greek origin, works at Svenska Kraftnät. She has long been frustrated by how women uphold society without receiving fair treatment. After a chaotic workday where she once again saves her colleagues from a system collapse, she meets her best friend Milica, operations manager at Skånetrafiken, the regional Public transit company. With her Serbian roots and strong leadership, Milica has also had enough of fixing disruptions while her husband at home seems clueless about how a vacuum cleaner works.
They are soon joined by Eleonora, a charismatic and outspoken doctor from Malmö, renowned for her activism against social injustices. Together, the trio decides to start a movement. Inspired by Margarita’s Greek heritage and Aristophanes’ play Lysistrata, they craft a radical plan:

1. Women in critical roles will stop working after 3 p.m. and remain passive in meetings. No more fixing men’s mistakes, smoothing conflicts, or negotiating for them.
2. They will strike from invisible labour at work and home.
3. as in the original play, they will launch a sex strike to force men to take responsibility.
________________________________________
Scene: IKEA Parking Lot in Malmö – The Women’s Oath
In the twilight, women have gathered secretly in a parking lot outside an IKEA store. Margarita stands on the bed of a pickup truck with a megaphone, surrounded by Milica, Eleonora, and women from various professions and backgrounds. A tense, expectant silence fills the air.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Margarita:
(With a dramatic tone, raising her hand with an IKEA glass filled with red juice, symbolising wine)
Sisters! Today, we stand here to break a tradition that has placed the burden of society on our shoulders. We now swear a sacred oath: No love, intimacy, or work beyond what we choose – until men understand that we carry the world.
(She lifts the glass and turns to the others.)
We won’t just say no – we will say: "Do it yourself!"
(The women laugh at the vivid images in their minds.)
Milica:
(Sighing theatrically, looking at her friend and whispering)
My husband can’t even assemble a Billy bookcase without swearing for an hour. How is he supposed to handle this?
Eleonora:
(With a dry glance at Milica)
That’s precisely the point. Let him sweat over the instructions for once.
Margarita:
(Hearing them, she turns with a slight smile)
Exactly, Milica! Let him feel what it’s like to live in chaos – maybe he’ll learn something in the end!
(The women form a circle, raise their glasses, and chant a unified vow:)
All the Women Together:
"No love without justice! No sandwiches without cooperation!"
(Margarita steps down from the truck and embraces Milica and Eleonora. The atmosphere is electric as the women spread the message through their phones and social media.)
________________________________________
Additional Notes:
Margarita’s partner, Daniel, a caring and supportive man, becomes an early ally and offers his help in organising the movement. Meanwhile, Milica’s confused husband mutters about how “this feels over the top.”

Act 2: Chaos in Sweden
Scene 1: Stortorget in Malmö – The Demonstration
Setting:
In the middle of the square stands the statue of Gustav X Adolf, a symbol of oppression and patriarchy. Women from across Malmö have gathered, dressed in colourful clothes and holding signs that read:
• "We carry society – but we won’t carry it any longer!"
• "Equal pay for equal work!"
• "We’re done organising your meetings over the coffee machine."
A large crowd, mostly women, waits eagerly as Margarita and Milica approach the statue. Margarita, draped in a striking red shawl, has the fire of ancient Greece in her eyes. Milica balances a bucket of tar in one hand and a bundle of feathers in the other.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Margarita:
(Calling through a megaphone, her voice melodic but commanding)
Women, sisters! We have waited long enough. How long must we carry society without receiving what we deserve? How long will we let men like Gustav X Adolf stare down at us from their horses as if we are their servants?
Milica:
(With her characteristic low yet intense tone)
And how long will we allow their power to remain untouched while we clean up their mess – at home, work, and the world? It ends now. Margarita, hand me that bucket.
(She takes the bucket of tar and gracefully climbs onto the statue’s pedestal. The crowd erupts into cheers.)
Margarita:
(Turning to the crowd, gesturing dramatically toward the statue)
Look at him! This statue has stood here for a hundred years as a reminder that women must remain silent and serve. Today, we turn the tables! Today, he becomes our symbol – not of power, but of change.
(She pulls out a bucket of bright pink paint and hands it to Milica.)
Milica:
(From atop the statue, with an amused smile)
Thank you, Margarita. And thank you, Gustav, for standing so still. It makes my job much more manageable.
(She slowly and ceremoniously pours the tar over the statue. The women in the crowd cheer and shout slogans.)
Woman in the crowd:
More tar! More feathers! Give him all you’ve got!
Another woman:
Cut the legs off that horse while you’re at it!
(Milica tosses the empty bucket to Margarita and begins sprinkling feathers over the tar-covered statue. Gustav X Adolf now looks like a caricature of fallen power.)
Margarita:
(Lifting the megaphone again, her eyes blazing as she surveys the crowd)
Women, look at what we can do together! This statue is no longer a symbol of power – it’s a reminder of our strength! Go home, take our message, and tell every woman you meet: We carry no more. We won’t work past 3 p.m. We refuse to clean up their mess. And we will not give them our love until they learn respect!
(The crowd responds with deafening cheers.)
Milica:
(Laughing, tossing the feathers into the air like confetti)
And don’t forget – we have more tar and feathers if they don’t get the message! Enough for all the men in Sweden, if needed.
(New cheers from the crowd.)
(The two women step down from the statue and are led through Malmö by the jubilant crowd. The message spreads rapidly via social media. By the next day, news outlets are filled with images of the bright pink Gustav X Adolf, and women across the country begin to join the movement.)
________________________________________
Scene 2: Chaos in the Power Grid – Svenska Kraftnät
Setting:
The control room at Svenska Kraftnät is usually a place of strict order. Long rows of screens display graphs and curves showing the power grid’s status. But today, the panels flash red and yellow. Lights flicker, and the screens update hysterically. After the women’s sudden departure, the men left behind struggled to understand the systems.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Male Technician 1:
(Sweating, staring at a blinking warning light)
What does this mean? “Voltage below 49.9 Hz in southern Sweden.” Is that dangerous?
Male Technician 2:
(Panicked, hammering on the keyboard)
It means we’re about to have a blackout! Someone needs to adjust the balance regulator!
Male Technician 1:
(Looking around desperately)
But that’s Margarita’s job! She always fixes this!
Male Technician 3:
(Angrily, trying to reach another department by phone)
I told you we should never have let them leave! Why did they go anyway? It’s completely irresponsible!
Male Technician 2:
(Sighing, throwing up his hands)
They said they’d only work until 3 p.m. I didn’t think they were serious!
(The three technicians stare at each other in despair. The lights flash faster and faster.)
________________________________________
Parallel Scene: Margarita and Daniel Outside the Control Room
(Margarita and her partner Daniel sit outside the building. Margarita looks calm, while Daniel appears slightly nervous. He holds a thermos of coffee.)
Daniel:
(Glancing at Margarita, hesitating before speaking)
Aren’t you worried about what’s happening in there?
Margarita:
(Leaning back with a serene smile)
No. It’s time they learned what it’s like to carry responsibility. I’ve done 20% more than them for years. They’ll manage – or they won’t.
Daniel:
(Looking uncertain, pouring coffee)
But if the power grid crashes... It’ll be chaos.
Margarita:
(With a touch of irony)
Chaos? That’s the Greek word for our reality, my dear. We’ve lived in chaos for a long time. Now it’s their turn.
(She sips coffee as the camera returns to the chaotic control room.)
________________________________________
Back in the Control Room:
(An alarm blares. The graphs on the screens show sharp fluctuations in the power grid.)
Male Technician 1:
(Shouting)
We need to cut power to some regions to avoid a total blackout!
Male Technician 3:
(Angrily)
But which regions? We can’t just pull the plug!
(They begin arguing, and a prominent warning flashes on the screens in the background: “System Failure in Southern Sweden.” The lights flicker and then go out entirely.)
________________________________________
Scene Closing:
(Margarita and Daniel watch the building from a park bench. The lights in the building suddenly go out. Margarita smiles.)
Margarita:
(Chuckling softly, speaking to Daniel)
I wonder how long it’ll take before they call us to come back.
Daniel:
(A mix of worry and admiration)
You’re terrifying sometimes, you know that?
Margarita:
(Looking at him with a teasing smile)
And yet you stay.
(The lights across the city in the background suddenly go dark, and the scene fades to black.)

Act 2: Chaos in Sweden
________________________________________
Scene 3: Skånetrafiken – Milica’s Triumph
Setting:
The headquarters of Skånetrafiken in Malmö. A large map of railways and bus lines dominates one wall. The office staff women have already left their desks for the day, leaving a few bewildered male colleagues behind. In the middle of the room, Milica stands calm and confident at a central control panel.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Milica:
(With a dramatic gesture toward the Öresund Bridge)
Close the bridge! Say we need to inspect the bolts – or whatever excuse you usually give. The Danes can go back to their problems.
(Her male colleagues stare at her with confused and horrified expressions.)
Male Colleague:
(Uncertain and loudly protesting)
But... we can’t just close the bridge! It’s our most important connection to Denmark!
Milica:
(Raising her hand to silence him, with a slight smile)
Oh, we can. And we will. Would you like to drive the bus yourself too? Go ahead – there’s an electric one parked outside. Good luck.
________________________________________
Effects of the chaos:
(Milica presses a few buttons on the control panel. On the screens, rail lines and bus routes slowly shut down. The Öresund Bridge is blocked, and train traffic halts.)
• Commuters between Copenhagen and Malmö look bewildered as the train stops halfway across the bridge. A Danish passenger shouts in frustration:
"Hvad i helvede sker der? Hvorfor sidder vi fast?"
("What the hell is going on? Why are we stuck?")
• A bus driver in Lund calls his manager, sounding frantic:
"I don’t have a driving schedule! Everyone’s telling me different things! Should I drive or not?!"
• Danish news reports:
"Scandinavia in crisis – Öresund Bridge closed!"
________________________________________
The women’s secret triumph:
(In a break room at Skånetrafiken’s headquarters, a few remaining women sit, sipping coffee and watching live broadcasts of the chaos.)
Woman 1:
(Laughing and pointing at a screen)
They look like headless chickens. Should we go downstairs and show them how it’s done?
Milica:
(Waving dismissively)
No, let them struggle. This is their first lesson in carrying their weight.
(She leans back and sips coffee as the chaos unfolds on the screens.)
________________________________________
Scene closing:
(A shot of the Öresund Bridge, where trains are stalled and traffic is blocked. The camera zooms in on Milica, who looks both satisfied and determined.)
________________________________________
Scene 4: The Men’s Desperation and Physical Discomfort
Setting:
An elegant gentlemen’s club in Stockholm. Plush leather armchairs line the room, and tables are set with half-empty glasses of whiskey and cognac. A group of male politicians and business leaders has gathered in desperation over the women’s strike. It’s late in the evening, and their tired faces and slumped postures reflect the gravity of the situation.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Man 1:
(Whining and throwing up his hands)
My wife left me alone with the kids this morning and told me to “figure out how a lunchbox works.” What does that even mean?!
Man 2:
(Wiping his forehead irritably)
I tried romance. I bought roses, I opened champagne. And you know what she said? “You can start by folding the laundry.”
Man 3:
(Shaking his head, staring into his whiskey glass)
I get emails every day from men across the country. They write that they can’t even make coffee anymore. I can’t help myself, so how should I help them?
Man 4:
(Looking up from his phone with a frustrated expression)
And I can’t even sleep in my bed anymore! My wife says the bed is “too uncomfortable for an unequal man.” I’m sleeping on the couch!
________________________________________
Slapstick humour:
(A waiter enters with a bottle of champagne, attempting to pour it for one of the men. Distracted, the man fumbles and spills the champagne all over his lap. The liquid splashes everywhere, making it look like he wet himself.)
Man 2:
(Nervously laughing, glancing at his unfortunate colleague)
Well, that’s a pretty clear metaphor for how things are going.
(The other men try to keep their composure, but several break into hysterical, exhausted laughter.)
________________________________________
Proposals for solutions:
Man 3:
(Banging his hand on the table)
We have to do something. We can’t let this continue. How about giving them an extra week of vacation or a spa gift card?
Man 1:
(Snorting)
That’s not enough. They’ve shut down the Öresund Bridge and Svenska Kraftnät. I heard the Germans are furious – they’ve had blackouts in all of Hamburg! We need to offer them more.
Man 4:
(Shaking his head grimly)
This isn’t about vacation weeks or gift cards. This is about power. And it seems like we’re losing it.
________________________________________
Scene closing:
(The men remain slumped in their chairs, defeated and silent. One of them lights a cigar and stares blankly out the window.)
Man 2:
(Muttering to himself)
What if this is how they’ve always felt?
(The scene ends as the camera zooms out from the subdued and hopeless atmosphere of the gentlemen’s club. The voice of a news anchor is heard in the background:)
"Sweden remains in crisis. The women’s strike is now affecting international trade."
________________________________________
Scene 5: Attempts to Storm Svenska Kraftnät
Setting:
It's early morning outside Svenska Kraftnät’s headquarters in Sundbyberg. Men in suits and safety vests stand outside the gates. They’ve brought ladders, tools, and laptops, but their confusion is evident. Women have locked and barricaded the building, shutting off all access.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Male Colleague 1:
(Holding a megaphone, shouting at the building)
Margarita! Come out! You know we can’t do this without you!
(No response. Only silence from inside.)
Male Colleague 2:
(Peering through a window and seeing women drinking coffee and laughing. Turning back to the others, frustrated)
They’re doing this on purpose! I saw one of them taking a selfie while the warning lights flashed!
Male Colleague 3:
(Trying to calm the others)
We need to find a way inside. Does anyone have a code or a master keycard?
Male Colleague 4:
(Sighing)
I don’t even know how to log into the system. Margarita used to handle everything.
________________________________________
Inside the building:
(Margarita stands by an open window on the second floor, looking at the chaos outside. She appears calm and composed.)
Margarita:
(With an ironic smile)
Good morning, gentlemen! How’s it going down there? Have you tried reading the manual?
Male Colleague 1:
(Waving the megaphone)
Margarita, we need to get the power grid running. You can’t just leave us!
Margarita:
(Coldly replying)
I’ve already done my part. You said you could manage without us – so prove it.
________________________________________
The men attempt to break in:
(They place ladders against the fence and try to climb over. From above, the women throw buckets of cold water and coffee grounds at them. The slapstick-like scene shows the men slipping, stumbling, and ending up in humiliating positions.)

Male Colleague 2:
(With a bucket of water poured over his head, turning to his colleagues)
This is absurd! We’re trying to fix a crisis, and they’re... playing enemies!
Milica:
(Looking out from another window, shouting down)
Enemies? No, we’re just teachers. We’re teaching you what it feels like to carry all the responsibility.
________________________________________
Scene closing:
(After several failed attempts to break in, the men gather outside the gates, soaking wet and defeated. Margarita watches them from above, shaking her head slowly.)

Margarita:
(To herself, as she closes the window)
They still have a long way to go.
(The scene ends with the men sitting on the curb, leaning against the fence, while warning messages flash inside the control room screens. The camera zooms out to show the empty building and a city beginning to darken.

Act 2: Chaos in Sweden
________________________________________
Scene 6: The Nordic Delegation’s Desperation
Setting:
In a conference room in Copenhagen. The table is cluttered with documents, maps, and half-empty coffee cups. Delegates from Sweden and Denmark sit on opposite sides of the table. They look worn out and frustrated. The meeting has dragged on for hours without progress, and the tension is palpable.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Danish Delegate:
(Angrily and frustrated)
What the hell is going on? You’ve closed the Öresund Bridge! Our commuters can’t get to work, and our companies are losing money!
Swedish Delegate:
(Tired, leaning back in his chair)
We know. But what do you expect us to do? The women have taken over everything!
Danish Delegate:
(Raising his voice even louder)
Take them back! Or do something. We’ve received reports that your power grid isn’t working either!
Swedish Delegate:
(Desperate, gesturing wildly)
Do you think we’re not trying?! I can’t even get a cup of coffee at home anymore. My wife took the coffee machine to work and left me instant coffee!
(The other delegates try to stifle their laughter but fail.)
________________________________________
Attempts at Solutions:
Danish Delegate:
(In a resigned tone)
We need to reopen the bridge. Can’t we tell them we’ll fix equality later? We need a few days to get things running again.
Swedish Delegate:
(Sarcastically)
Do you think they’ll settle for “later”? These are women we’re talking about – they’ve been planning this for years.
________________________________________
The Women Intervene:
(Suddenly, Margarita and Milica walk into the room, dressed in elegant yet relaxed clothing. They take seats at the head of the table, exuding an authority that silences the entire room.)
Margarita:
(With a slight smile)
Good morning, gentlemen. You seem to be struggling. We’re here to help.
Milica:
(Fixing a sharp gaze on the Danish delegates)
But we’ll only help if you acknowledge that women are the driving force in your societies and homes.
(Silence fills the room. The men exchange uncertain glances, unsure how to respond.)
Danish Delegate:
(After a long pause)
Okay... We... we acknowledge it.
Swedish Delegate:
(Muttering)
If it means I can ditch the instant coffee, I’m in.
________________________________________
Scene Closing:
(Milica and Margarita smile at each other and stand up.)
Margarita:
(Firmly and clearly)
Good. That’s a start. But words won’t be enough. We’ll see you at the following negotiating table, where you’ll sign our demands.
(They leave the room, and the men sigh heavily. The lights dim as the camera zooms out from the conference room, showing Copenhagen’s skyline with the still Öresund Bridge in the background.)
________________________________________
Scene 7: The Women’s Internal Conflicts
Setting:
The office at Svenska Kraftnät is noticeably calmer now. In the break room, Margarita sits with a cup of coffee, chatting with Milica and Eleonora. Elsewhere in the building, a few women in trench coats and sunglasses try to sneak out through the back door.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Margarita:
(With a sceptical tone, glancing at the security cameras)
Do you see what I see, Milica?
Milica:
(Taking a sip of coffee, smirking)
Yep. There they are—our brave revolutionaries who can’t last a week without rescuing the men from themselves.
(They watch two women cautiously open the door, holding raincoats as a half-hearted excuse.)
________________________________________
Confrontation:
(Margarita and Milica approach the back door and shut it with a loud bang, startling the women.)
Margarita:
(With an ironic smile)
So, what do we have here? Some brave sisters who “need to air out the kids’ raincoats”?
Woman 1:
(Guiltily, avoiding eye contact)
Okay, I admit it. I can’t stand seeing the dishes pile up... He doesn’t even know how to turn on the dishwasher!
Woman 2:
(Whispering)
And... it’s cold in bed without him.
________________________________________
Encouraging Dialogue:
Milica:
(With an understanding yet firm tone, placing a hand on Woman 1’s shoulder)
I get it. But that’s precisely why we’re doing this. How will they learn if we don’t stick to the plan?
Margarita:
(Speaking more encouragingly)
We’ve all had the same feelings. But they’ll never understand what we need if we give in now. This isn’t just about us – it’s about the future.
(The women exchange glances, slowly nodding as they realise the point. They drop their raincoats.)
________________________________________
Scene Closing:
(Margarita and Milica lead the women back to the break room, where they join others playing cards, laughing, and sipping coffee. The camera zooms out, showing their united strength, while a large screen in the background displays the news headline:
"Women’s Strike Continues – National Crisis Deepens.")

Act 2: Chaos in Sweden
________________________________________
Scene 8: A Stuck Elevator in the Heart of Patriarchy

Setting:
A cramped elevator in a modern office building in Stockholm. It’s filled with well-dressed businessmen on their way to a meeting to address the economic consequences of the women’s strike. Suddenly, the elevator jerks to a halt and gets stuck between two floors. The lights flicker and go out, leaving the men in pitch darkness.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Man 1:
(Nervously, trying to stay calm in the dark)
What happened? Why aren’t we moving?
Man 2:
(Peering at the elevator display flickering between the fourth and fifth floors)
It’s probably just a minor glitch. Someone will call... the technician... right?
(Silence follows. No one reaches for their phone.)
Man 3:
(Irritated, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief)
Why does this have to happen today of all days? It’s just... an elevator! This never happens!
Man 4:
(Leaning against the wall, sarcastically)
It happens when the people who usually fix it aren’t here. Do you know who runs the elevators? Women. And guess what? They left at three today, too!
(Everyone sighs heavily, and a tense silence follows.)
________________________________________
Confusion and Role Reversal:

Man 5:
(Fumbling with his phone, exclaiming)
No signal! What do we do now? Does anyone here know how an elevator works?
Man 3:
(Scoffing)
What? It’s not our job to know that! It’s their responsibility. What was her name, and who always fixed this? Sofia? Sandra?
Man 1:
(Mockingly)
It's too bad Sofia also left at three. Does anyone else here know how to press a button without calling their assistant?
(They start looking at each other while Man 4 tries to open the emergency panel but gives up when he can’t find any tools.)
________________________________________
The Comic Panic Begins:

Man 2:
(Panicking, looking at his watch)
We have the meeting in half an hour! If we’re not there, half the budget will collapse!
Man 5:
(Frowning)
Budget? You’re thinking about money, and we’re stuck here with no air conditioning. And no coffee, either! This is torture!
Man 3:
(Irritated)
Torture? Torture is trying to get my wife to understand why I have to work late every night. And now I’m stuck with you instead of fixing things at home!
Man 4:
(Leaning forward, hissing)
Maybe your wife doesn’t understand because you don’t listen? Have you tried that?
(Everyone stares at him. Someone starts to chuckle nervously.)
________________________________________
Voice from the Control Room:
(One of the men finally presses the emergency phone button. After several minutes, a woman’s voice comes through the speaker.)
Voice on the Speaker:
(Sarcastically)
Hello, this is Central Operations. I know the elevator is stuck. No one is available to help since no one works after three anymore. But we can schedule a technician for tomorrow morning. Does that work for you?
Man 5:
(Shouting)
Tomorrow?! We’ll be dead of boredom by then!
Voice on the Speaker:
(Coldly professional)
Does it sound inconvenient? That’s what it feels like to run a household alone. Good luck!
(The line goes dead. All the men stare at each other in shock.)
________________________________________
Scene Closing:
(The elevator suddenly jerks and starts moving again. The power is back. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief, looking visibly shaken – but the atmosphere has changed.)

Man 3:
(Quietly, to himself)
Do you think they’re doing this... on purpose?
(The others slowly nod. The lights dim, and the scene ends.)
________________________________________
Scene 9: Society’s Breakdown
Setting:
A montage sequence displayed on a massive screen lowered from the ceiling shows how the women’s strike affects all aspects of society. The visuals shift between hospitals, schools, stores, transportation networks, and offices. Men are seen desperately trying to keep operations running, but the results are catastrophic.
________________________________________
Part 1: Healthcare Collapses
(At a hospital, men run around in confusion. Operating rooms are overcrowded, and patients shout for help. A male doctor tries to calm the chaos but fails miserably.)

Male Doctor:
(To a confused intern)
Where are the nurses?! We need them here now!
Intern:
(Hesitant, mumbling)
They... they left at three. They said we’d have to handle it ourselves.
(A patient in the background screams)
How hard can it be to find a new needle?!
________________________________________
Part 2: Schools and Childcare in Chaos
(At a daycare, a few fathers have been called in to cover for absent staff. Children run wild, and one dad desperately tries to read a book to hold their attention.)

Dad 1:
(To another dad, chasing a child climbing on a table)
Is it always like this? How do they cope?!
Dad 2:
(Holding a crying baby)
I don’t even know how to change a diaper! This is worse than work!
________________________________________
Part 3: Stores and Commerce Shut Down
(A man in a suit stands behind the counter at a supermarket, sweating and visibly distressed. The customer in front of him is furious.)

Customer:
(Throwing up her arms)
How can you not know where the milk is?!
Male Cashier:
(Trying to stay calm)
I’m usually the CFO...
(A woman in the queue shouts sarcastically)
CFO? Good luck organising this mess!
________________________________________
Part 4: The Transportation Network Halts
(Trains are stuck on tracks, buses are cancelled, and commuters are stranded. A male train conductor tries to address angry passengers.)

Passenger:
(Furious)
Why isn’t the train moving?!
Conductor:
(Stammering nervously)
... I don’t know how to schedule more departures. I’m only here temporarily.
(Another passenger shouts from the back)
Can you at least turn on the air conditioning?!
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Part 5: International Reactions
(A news anchor reports from Germany.)

TV Anchor:
(Dramatically)
Chaos reigns in Scandinavia. Sweden’s power grid is unstable, and the Öresund Bridge remains closed. Danish and Swedish commuters have been unable to reach work for days. Europe’s economy is now directly affected by the crisis.
(The camera shifts to a group of Germans lighting candles in their homes to cope with the blackout.)
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Scene Closing:
(The montage ends with a split-screen showing chaos on all fronts: hospitals, schools, transportation, and international reactions. In every scene, men look exhausted and helpless. A voiceover from Margarita echoes in the background:)

Margarita (Voiceover):
“It’s only when the world falls apart that we truly see who has been holding it together. And now – now we no longer carry it.”
(The screen fades to black.)

Act 3: A New Dawn
Scene 1: Peace Negotiations

Setting:
A large meeting room in Malmö, filled with women and men from various sectors of society. Margarita, Milica, and Eleonora sit at the front, dressed elegantly, signalling their leadership. A group of male representatives sit on the other side of the table, marked by stress and lack of sleep. A projector displays the effects of the strike: empty schools, halted transportation, and economic losses.
________________________________________
Dialogue:
Margarita:
(With a calm but firm tone)
We are here to end something—not just the strike but the inequality that has persisted for generations. Our demands cannot be misunderstood: equal pay, shared responsibilities at home, and a national plan to address invisible labour.
Male Negotiator:
(Tired and disillusioned)
We can negotiate salaries. But how are we supposed to change what happens at home? That’s private life.
Milica:
(Sarcastically)
Private life? That’s just your code for leaving women to do all the work there, too. We want parental leave for both parents and funding for education on equality at all ages.
Male Negotiator 2:
(Mumbling quietly, almost to himself)
If it gets my wife to come home again... I’m in.
(There’s scattered laughter from the women in the room.)
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The Final Agreement:
After a lengthy discussion, the men finally agree to the women’s demands. Margarita stands, and the camera zooms in on her face.
Margarita:
(With a slight smile)
Congratulations, gentlemen. You’ve just taken the first step toward a better future.
________________________________________
Scene Closing:
The women leave the room with their heads held high while the men remain seated, looking as though they don’t quite understand what happened. A large crowd waits outside the meeting room and erupts into cheers as Margarita, Milica, and Eleonora step out, holding the signed agreement.
________________________________________
Scene 2: The Unveiling of the Statue – "The Balance of the Future"

Setting:
Möllevångstorget is decorated with green and pink banners, the colours of the revolution. Thousands of people have gathered, filled with anticipation. Children sit on their parents’ shoulders, older people hold hands, and young people film with their phones. A stage is set up in front of the covered statue, where Margarita, Milica, and Eleonora stand side by side. Daniel and several other men stand in the audience.
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Dialogue – Speech Before the Unveiling:
Margarita:
(With a passionate voice and fire in her eyes)
Sisters and brothers, today, we are not just standing in a square but in history. This statue is not just a symbol of what we have achieved but of what we have always carried. But today, we no longer do it alone. Today, we lift together!
(She gestures toward the covered statue and turns to Milica.)
Milica
(With her characteristic sharpness and wit)
Look closely. Three women, two men – that’s no coincidence. Women have always carried more. But this revolution is not just about evening out the weight – it’s about understanding it. If we don’t lift together, we fall together.
(Her words are met with cheers from the crowd.)
Eleonora:
(With a confident smile, turning to the crowd)
This is a tribute to all of us, the future, and what we have built together. So, let’s show the world—and ourselves—that we will never turn back!
________________________________________
The Unveiling:
The three women pull away the large cloth with a shared gesture, revealing the magnificent statue in all its glory.
• The globe glitters in the sunlight and is covered with symbols representing healthcare, education, the environment, and human solidarity.
• The five people lifting the world are three women and two men. The women stand slightly forward, suggesting they carry more weight, but the men lift with equal determination.
• Their faces are filled with strength and resolve, looking toward the future.
(A significant murmur sweeps through the crowd, followed by deafening cheers. People rise to their feet, waving flags and applauding non-stop.)
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Song and Finale:
Suddenly, a choir at the front of the stage begins to sing the new anthem, and the entire ensemble joins in:

We Lift, We Share, We Build Our World
Chorus:

We lift, we share, we build our world,
The future is ours, united and bold!
Together, we stand, with hearts and with hands,
Breaking the chains, we reclaim the land!

We rise as one, with voices so clear,
No fear, no silence; the time is here.
From homes to cities, from sea to sky,
We lift the world and reach up high.

No longer shall we bear the load,
Of thankless work and the weary road.
Equality shines; it’s within our reach,
A better tomorrow is what we preach.

The wars must end, we call for peace,
The battles of greed and hate must cease.
From every nation, our voices unite,
Together, we build a future of light.

The earth is crying, we hear her plea,
We fight for the air, the land, and the sea.
Renewal and balance, a greener way,
We stand for the planet, for hope today.

No child in hunger, no voice unheard,
We fight for justice; we spread the word.
A world of kindness, where love is the key,
Together, we shape our destiny.

From north to south, from east to west,
We lift the weary; we do our best.
With open hearts and a common goal,
We’re building a world that is truly whole.

Chorus (repeat):
We lift, we share, we build our world,
The future is ours, united and bold!
Together, we stand, with hearts and with hands,
Breaking the chains, we reclaim the land!

Outro:
We carry the future, we light up the way,
With courage and love, a brand-new day.
No power divides us, no fear holds us down,
For we are the builders, and we wear the crown.

(Repeat the last two lines with rising intensity until fade.)

(The audience joins in, and the song spreads like a wave across the square.)
• Children sing, older people cry joyfully, and people stand hand in hand.
• Margarita, Milica, and Eleonora stand proudly before the statue.
• Daniel appears with a bouquet and hands it to Margarita. She smiles, lifts the flowers toward the sky, and receives a thunderous cheer from the crowd.
(Other men in the audience applaud politely, some even enthusiastically. A few appear deep in thought, perhaps for the first time, reflecting on how much has changed.)
________________________________________
Margarita’s Closing Words:
Margarita steps up to the microphone one last time.
Margarita:
(Loudly and clearly, commanding the square’s full attention)
For the future! For us all!
Audience:
(In unison)
For the future! For us all!
________________________________________
Epilogue: From Then to Now – A Revolution for the Future
Setting or Program Note:
A single narrator stands on stage before a dimmed image of the statue "The Balance of the Future." The narrator is dressed in neutral, timeless clothing and speaks directly to the audience. A soft spotlight shines on them while the background shifts between images from the revolution – women at the IKEA parking lot, chaos at Svenska Kraftnät, and the cheers at Möllevångstorget.
________________________________________
Monologue or Program Text:

Narrator:
(With a warm, reflective tone)
Over two thousand years ago, Aristophanes wrote about women refusing to accept their husbands’ power over the home and society. Their weapons were humour, wit, and an unyielding desire for change. Back then, it was a play, a fantasy for the stage. But today, we’ve seen what happens when fantasy meets reality.
(The slideshow shows Margarita, Milica, and Eleonora in various scenes from the play.)
We live in a time when women still carry an unreasonable share of society’s weight – at home, at work, and in the world. But what happens when they say, “Enough is enough”? When they stop fixing, patching, and smoothing over?
(The slideshow shifts to the chaos during the strike: halted trains, blacked-out cities, and desperate men in the gentlemen’s club.)
Chaos, yes. But also something else. Insight. Change. Possibilities.
(The images transition to the jubilant scenes at the statue’s unveiling and the people celebrating together.)
This story is not just a comedy, not just a playful thought experiment. It’s a reminder that progress always begins with courage, that equality is not a gift but a struggle, and that we, as the statue says, can only carry the future together.
________________________________________
Closing:
The narrator turns to the audience with a gentle smile.
Narrator:
(With emphasis)
So when you leave this room tonight, ask yourselves: What does our world look like? And, more importantly – what do we want it to look like? Even though the play is over, this is only the beginning.
(The spotlight on the narrator dims slowly, and a final image of the statue fills the background: "The Balance of the Future," shimmering in the sunlight.)
________________________________________
End:
The curtain falls to the sound of applause, and a final instrumental version of "We Lift, We Share, We Build Our World" plays softly in the background.