Hjalmar Freij Stepping Up

This is the oldest photo on my phone, taken on September 15, 2023. It captures a special moment when Hjalmar Freij, who understudies Martin Stokke Mathiesen, stepped into his role. The transition happened before we even had a full understudy rehearsal! Despite the pressure, Hjalmar showed no signs of nerves, standing on stage in full costume, totally embodying his character. The scene is one where Mårten is invited to the villa—ostensibly to fix things but also for dinner, and there’s wine involved. In the shot, Lindy Larsson, who plays Zack, watches Mårten with a lustful gaze, adding tension and excitement to the moment. 

 The atmosphere that night was electric. There’s something special about watching an understudy rise to the challenge—no one was sure what to expect, but Hjalmar delivered with absolute confidence. The lighting, the set, and the costumes all aligned to create this intense, intimate scene that had the audience hanging on every word. It’s one of those moments you can’t fully capture in a single frame, but this picture takes me back to that night instantly.

Featuring: Hjalmar Freij as Mårten and Lindy Larsson as Zack. 

It’s meaningful to me because it shows the dedication and talent of the team I work with. Seeing Hjalmar step in and perform without hesitation reminds me of the resilience of live theater—how unpredictable and thrilling it can be. There’s always that moment of magic when everything comes together unexpectedly.

This photo also brings to mind the fun and camaraderie backstage. Everyone was rooting for Hjalmar, and after the show, we couldn’t stop talking about how well he handled the pressure. That night became one of the highlights of the season, and this picture is a perfect memory of it.

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