A show I never wanted to end

 “You Deserve This” is an intense, thought-provoking experience that not only entertains, but also challenges our attitudes towards power, justice, and the society we live in.

What happens when a theater performance captures you from the first second and doesn't let go until you're out of the theater? When I first sat down in the theater at Torshovteateret, the music was a constant, rushing sound that filled the room and was present during everything that happened on stage. The music wasn't loud – but intense. It filled the room so much that I could almost hear my own heartbeat because the beat of the music had the same rhythm. It was as if my body had to adapt to the performance.

This is What You Deserve is about Mette – a woman who has far too much responsibility and far too little time. She works in prison, takes care of her mother, and tries to live up to the demands of having a “normal life”. Then an app appears where you can rent a boyfriend – and she says yes. Not because she necessarily wants to, but because it seems easier that way. It may sound extreme, but during the performance you realize that the play is not really about apps or romance, but about pressure, loneliness, and class differences – and about how we try to make life work together. I left with the feeling that it was not just Mette’s story, but a kind of story about all of us – for better or worse. 

A simple life in a complicated world

This is what you deserve , created by Even Torgan, Fanny Vaager and Markus Neby in close collaboration with the actors, and is a piece that was unlike anything I have experienced before. On the stairs leading up to the stage, there was a garment hanging on the banister with the text “Is Wolt unethical?” printed on it – a small but effective question that remained throughout the performance. The set design is simple but symbolic with few objects and precise lighting that highlights the characters’ inner lives and the invisible structures around them. For example, when the light focuses on one person standing still in the middle of the stage, and it is completely silent around, it can create a feeling that we are getting close to the character’s inner life – that is, what they feel and think, even if they don’t say it out loud. 

When the play speaks to you – and doesn't appeal to everyone 

During the performance, the audience was included in a way I have rarely experienced in theater. Questions such as “what is your profession, and are you happy with the salary you earn?”, “how much do you earn a year?”, “if you had the choice to earn less so that nurses and teachers would earn more, would you say yes?” and “what would you think if the state were to deduct a percentage of your inheritance?” were asked both directly to individual audience members and as open questions to the entire audience, where those who wished could answer. The questions clearly struck an adult audience – for me as a young person, it did not hit me personally, as they were mainly about finances and inheritance. An example of this was when they did a show of hands to see who earned more than 100,000 kroner a year, and it was only me and a couple of other young people who did not raise their hands. I think this is about age and life experience – the questions addressed experiences that many adults have, but that we as young people may not have encountered yet. Many of the questions were about financial choices, jobs, and inheritance. I therefore felt a bit excluded from the questions, as they assumed a life situation and experience that we simply do not have yet. Nevertheless, it was very interesting to listen to, as there were many different answers and perspectives from the audience, who had completely different experiences and views on the topics. 

One question hit home, though: “Is Wolt unethical?” It made me think about how our society has come to accept services that may not be fair to those who work there. Many Wolt couriers are self-employed, which means they do not receive sick pay, vacation pay, or other rights that employees usually have. Couriers at Wolt must cover necessary equipment such as vehicles and delivery bags themselves, while some additional equipment can be voluntary (free). Wolt offers insurance that covers personal injuries during delivery, but couriers must themselves insure their own belongings and vehicles. Income varies from day to day, with no guarantee of a fixed or stable salary. Dagsavisen writes in an article that the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions is considering legal action against Wolt precisely because of the working conditions couriers work under. In addition, NRK reported that criminals have taken over parts of the food delivery industry, including by controlling or exploiting couriers through illegal subcontractors. The question asked in the play – “Is Wolt unethical?” – made me question where the line is drawn between practical solutions and exploitation of labor – and why we in society don't question it more. 

More than just Mette's story

The story of Mette is the starting point, but for me the performance was really about how we live our lives in today's Norway. It made me think about who has power, who is left out, and what we really mean when we talk about justice. The performance touches on topics that are so relevant to all of us – and in a way it made me question the structures and norms we take for granted. How do they affect our choices in everyday life? What can we do to challenge power structures and create more justice? On a personal level it made me reflect on what I can do to stand up for what is right, while at the same time it is a more general question about what society should do to create a more just community.

Deserves credit

I felt a kind of emptiness when I left the theater – not because anything was bad, but because the performance was so good that I didn’t want it to end. It was the whole thing that made it so impressive. The actors delivered with an intensity and presence that made me forget I was sitting in a theater – it felt real. But it wasn’t just them. The music, lighting and use of color were perfect and enhanced the atmosphere of each scene. Even small details, like the hanging clothes before the play started, took on a completely different meaning over time – and it was an incredibly clever way to build the story. This play was complete, funny, brave and memorable and deserves credit. Everyone who has been involved in making this deserves not only honor and glory, but all possible success and lots and lots of praise for what they have created. Through a sharp story and a unique theater experience, I got more than just an insight into a woman’s life – the performance made me question how we live our lives today. This is a performance that has made a lasting impression.