Staging Foucault for Children. Mental Illness and Education in Backa Teater’s Production of Vansinnet

Abstract This article investigates Vansinnet (Madness, 2024), a bold and intellectually ambitious production by the Swedish theatre company Backa Teater, whichadapted Michel Foucault’s Madness and Civilization for a young audience. In a time when mental health challenges are rising among children, the performance seeks to address a rarely explored question: how can issues related to children’s mental illness be represented in ways that are both accessible and meaningful to them? Through a combined intermedial and performance analysis—grounded in live and recorded observations—this study examines how Foucault’s historical-philosophical narrative is reimagined through the eyes of Elvira, a 12-year-old girl deemed “mad” by her school environment. Her journey through key historical episodes, ranging from medieval superstition to modern psychiatric institutions, mirrors Foucault’s chronology while adding contemporary relevance and emotional depth. The analysis situates the production within the tradition of Swedish Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), emphasizing how Vansinnet merges pedagogical intent with artistic innovation. The performance makes use of a conscious distribution of roles, in combination with humorous elements, musical dramaturgy, and audience interaction to evoke reflection, empathy, and critical thought. Rather than offering clear-cut answers, it confronts the young audience with the complexities of mental illness, power, and normativity. Vansinnet thus expands the aesthetic and ethical horizons of TYA. It positions the child not merely as a passive recipient, but as an active participant in negotiating the meanings of madness—affirming the capacity of young audiences to engage with intellectually and emotionally charged material.