STITCH

STITCH
By Camilla Blomqvist.

A story about the rise and fall of Algots Nord, about friendship, assembly lines, and v-jeans.

In 1972, the textile company Algots came to Västerbotten to start three factories. Within a few days, thousands of women queued for jobs, many of them housewives looking to step into the workforce. The state intervened with millions in support, and according to the plan, over a thousand people would work in Northern Europe's most modern sewing factories.

In the performance, we meet four women who all get jobs at the factory: Sari, a young single mother; Britta, who struggles with marital problems at home; Eivor, who dreams of obtaining her own driver's license; and Anette, whose salvation depends on having a job.

At the factories' assembly lines, harsh conditions prevail and the economy is strained. A long and dramatic union struggle for better conditions and to save jobs begins, despite many employees lacking experience in organizing. Despite the struggle, the factories close down seven years after they started.

In the performance, we follow how the women's view of themselves changes along the way, how they are influenced by gaining their own economy, by being given the opportunity to take space in society, and daring to make their voices heard, or being one of those who choose to remain silent.

The story is an important part of Västerbotten's history and about women's work in an industrial establishment. It also sheds light on questions regarding the human role in our economic system today, where conditions can change from one day to the next and where new major industrial investments are being made here in the north. The script written by Camilla Blomqvist is based on testimonies from women who have worked at Algots Nord, and new music for the performance is composed by Frida Johansson. The artistic director of Västerbottensteatern, Johanna Salander, is responsible for the direction.