The Patron's Return

Gertrud Larsson has written and directed the dark comedy Mecenatens återkomst - a play that emerged from the parliamentary debate on the culture budget on 4 December 2024. The plot revolves around quick money, homemade bombs, and sudden death, with private financing as the driving force. The music draws from traditional Swedish ballads, Tchaikovsky, and spiritual classics.

Gertrud Larsson, Anna-Lena Efverman, and Jenny Svenberg perform on stage. The production was staged in spring and autumn 2025 at Teater Brunnsgatan Fyra, and in spring 2026 the tour travels to Eskilstuna, Växjö, Lund, Oskarshamn, Kalmar, Malmö, Ystad, Karlstad, Umeå, Sundsvall, Örnsköldsvik, Härnösand, Norrköping, and Falun. In June it is shown during Almedalsveckan in Visby, and in September Göteborg and Jönköping are added.

In summer 2025, Gertrud Larsson debated culture minister Parisa Liljestrand on the culture pages of Expressen about culture financing.

Press reviews: "Sharp satire on the conditions of artists" (Sara Granath, SvD) - "A laugh fest!" (Lisa Bergström, P1 Kultur) - "A breathtaking satirical performance hits the mark" (Fredrik Björkman, Arbetarbladet) - "Gertrud Larsson gets the whole room roaring with laughter" (Selma Brodrej, ETC).

Script and direction: Gertrud Larsson. Graphic design and trailer: Jenny Svenberg. Stage photography: Alina Harmash.