The Matriline- every family holds a secret is a humorous, poetic and deeply touching one-woman show where the Swedish Malmö-based actress and playwright Eva Ekengren invites us into her very own theatrical universe. We get to meet five generations of women, Eva’s own family on the female side and a family secret that simmers under the surface. It’s a meeting, outside time and space, to face that which has been silenced but continues to echo through the generations.

The Matriline is a monologue about trying to break the spell of our collective story, about the women’s role and about the power in putting words to what appears to be “unspeakable”.

The Matriline is a collaboration between Eva Ekengren/Stage Being Scenkonst and the Malmö based director/actress Nina Jemth Öhlund who is known for her playful and bold stage-language that creates poetic, daring, beautiful and deeply engaging performances.

The Matriline has been touring with Riksteatern Syd (The Swedish National Touring Theatre South) and has played all over Sweden. It has been greatly successful with standing ovations and an audience that spontaneously stays and talks.
The Matriline has now been translated into English to reach a wider audience. Only one performance in Malmö!

The Matriline is translated to English in collaboration with Diana Nunez.

“Eva Ekengren is a brilliant comedian who makes us laugh, cry and lose our breath. A highly personal story that by daring to go all the way, becomes the collective story that so many of us can recognize ourselves in. Great Theater! DON’T MISS IT!”

“Totally knocked out by yesterday’s performance of “The Matriline”. “So touching, genuine, intimate, made with love, distance and humor. It evoked many questions in me about my own family line and how important it is to see and heal one’s personal history. Go and see it!”

“A warm and heartfelt THANK YOU for The Matriline. It was fragile and powerful at the same time. I was moved to tears. I wish that many young people, especially young men, would have the opportunity to see it.”

"Just saw The Matriline. An immensely painful story told with warmth and humor. Thank you for sharing your story. It gives hope. It is never too late to heal and cut ties to patterns that do not lead to anything good. Go see this play!"