Guardian of the Gods
Theatre for young people aged 9 - 12 years old
Written by Erik UDDENBERG (UNGA KLARA/Sweden) | Directed by Gustav DEINOFF (UNGA KLARA/Sweden) | Translated from Swedish by Rachel WILSON-BROYLES | Performed by Pertunia MSANI and Hamish Mabala NEILL | Technical managed by Ross Junior HLONGWANE | Presented as part of the LIVING RIGHTS FESTIVAL
Work created for 9-12 year olds specifically, however teens, adults and theatre-lovers welcome
Guardians of the Gods is a new theatre performance about what unites children all over the world living in a world ruled by adults. Written by Erik Uddenberg and directed by Gustav Deinoff of UNGA KLARA in Stockholm, Sweden, Guardians of the Gods is a two-hander performance set between two friends making sense of a world where adults ‘don’t think we understand everything that’s going on’. It is a heartfelt, honest, and dynamic piece of children’s theatre crafted with and by leading children’s theatre creators from around the world.
Recommended for ages 9 and up, Pertunia Msani and Hamish Mabala Neill are the two performers for the South African run of Guardians of the Gods.
This production is presented as part of the Living Rights Festival that is taking place in Cape Town from the 21st November - 6th December.
Guardians of the Gods is an all-new children’s theatre production at the heart of The Childhood Project - Unga Klara's largest international project ever. The project aims to promote culture for children and young people globally.
The performance has been created based on interviews with children and adults from 11 different countries on five continents. Since July 2025, Guardians of the Gods, has been performed in all of these countries in their respective languages. Guardians of the Gods is a about what unites children all over the world living in a world ruled by adults.
"In our discussions with colleagues from around the world, a common thread emerges - the shared experience of childhood in a world governed by adults. Despite the diversity of our individual upbringings, the essence remains constant. Out of this realisation, the dream of a global play has taken root; a play dedicated to children worldwide. It's a play that weaves together stories, life experiences, and childhood tales from every corner of the globe. A play that unites, bridging the gaps among children through the medium of art." - Gustav Deinoff, Artistic Director of Unga Klara.
Unga Klara stands firmly for every child's right to experience theatre and art from a child's perspective, coupled with the highest artistic standards. Over the years, we have nurtured numerous international connections with like-minded theatres and organisations. Now, we seek to unite them in a collaborative endeavour where we share knowledge and collectively craft a groundbreaking theatre performance. This performance will be co-owned by all participants and can be showcased to children in each participating country. This project will fortify existing relationships, cultivate new ones among our diverse partners, and further the growth of children's and youth theatre on a global scale.
Photos by Marek Zimakiewicz (Poland)