Gammelstad – Camden Fringe / The Hen & Chickens Theatre, London

My second outing to this year’s Camden Fringe is to see Gammelstad, a historic drama exploring social and religious life in 19th century Sweden in the context of one family.

Gammelstad

As long-time readers know, I really enjoy theatre where I learn something. This is the case with Gammelstad, a one act historical play which debuts at this year’s Camden Fringe. You can more or less pick up some of the historic context from watching Gammelstad. But a quick bit of research did help me to understand more, so let me share that with you now.

Sweden in the mid-19th century was undergoing fairly rapid change. Early industrialisation arrived about this time, as well as the right to vote for tax-paying (unmarried or widowed) women. The Conventicle Article, which allowed a monopoly for the State Church over people’s religious life was abolished in 1858 (two years before our play begins), allowing freedom of religion.

These things don’t change overnight, though. Gunnar (Niall O’Mara) seems a fairly traditional, if bad-tempered, farmer. He and his wife Hedda (Isabella Cottrell-Kirby) have a small wooden house in the ‘church town’, or kyrkstad, of Gammelstad. A kyrkstad was a uniquely Swedish phenomenon. Because the population in rural areas was so dispersed, church towns grew up to meet religious, rather than economic, needs. The houses were occupied only overnight, or during a couple of days for religious festivals. This was practical for those who lived too far away to come to church otherwise. The church towns naturally occupied an important social as well as religious function. They allowed friendships and courtships to form, and acted as hubs for not-strictly-Christian holidays like Midsummer.

This very interesting history is, however, the backdrop rather than the primary focus of Gammelstad. The play centres on siblings Birgitta (Arabella Jacobson) and Bror (Luke Tearney). While enduring poor parenting by any era’s standards, they try to find ways to improve their lot. The friendships made at Gammelstad, particularly with Ruth (Cottrell-Kirby) are one of the sources of their strength.

Breaking Generational Cycles

As well as taking the part of Birgitta, Jacobson is the writer of Gammelstad (O’Mara is co-writer). Jacobson’s background in psychology informs the structure and the focus of the piece, looking at the impact of trauma, and the factors that can either worsen or lessen its impact. Generational trauma is as much an issue today as it was in 1860, and Jacobson hopes this play will contribute to the evolving discussion around it. If the scenes where the siblings attempt to break these cycles read a little more 2026 than 1862, therefore, there is perhaps good reason.

Otherwise, this is a very nice period drama. I liked the attention to simple but pretty historically accurate costume and props. I always find this helps to build the world of a historic piece. It’s not easy to build such a world, convey the necessary context, and get through a plot in an hour, but the company do this well. Director (and also lighting designer) Luke Ofield ensures the action moves at a good pace, and additionally ensures a good use of space that keeps the story clear, engaging, and easily comprehensible.

A very minor practical note. A small flipchart with the dates is a good way to announce the changes in scene without additional exposition. However, audiences currently need to sit in the front row and have excellent eyesight to see it. That seems an easy fix. In the meantime, perhaps do take a front row seat if you’re planning to catch Gammelstad on either of its remaining Camden Fringe dates.

Minor practical notes aside, I enjoyed Gammelstad. It’s not the sort of thing I usually see at fringe theatre festivals, but was all the more pleasing for that. Jacobson is a talented actor as well as writer, and the company as a whole has great potential. And the message that sometimes it’s enough just to get through something rather than fighting against it is a reminder for all of us in the difficult seasons of life.

Salterton Arts Review’s rating: 3.5/5

Gammelstad is on at the Hen & Chickens Theatre on 22 and 23 August 2026 as part of Camden Fringe. More info and tickets here.