Performed in 11 countries across five continents in 2025.
With a universal premiere on May 30th, 2025 in Diyarbakır, Turkey.
Gustav Deinoff, Lisa Marie DiLiberto, Diana Meriline, Sandra Medina, Alejandro Vivanco, Tayza Naing, Deniz Göl, Kari Ramnefjell, Rita Lemivaara, Erik Uddenberg and Carmel Ketchabaw
“It is very rewarding to unite people from all over the world on this universal experience: being a child adjusting to adults.” -Erik Uddenberg
Sometimes adults seem like gods—powerful, protective, and kind. But they can also be unpredictable and dangerous. What adults often overlook is children’s unique power: their ability to see right through them.
Guardians of the Gods is a play about what unites children across the globe: living in a world ruled by adults. Written by Erik Uddenberg and directed by Gustav Deinoff, the play has been developed based on interviews with children and adults from 11 different countries across five continents. During 2025, the play will be performed in all 11 countries in their respective languages.
The play is part of The Childhood Project – a major international collaboration between all participating theatres, from Bangladesh to Finland. The project aims to enhance culture for children and young people all over the world.
The world premiere takes place in Diyarbakır, Turkey on May 30, 2025.
The Canadian premiere will be presented by Theatre Direct in Summer 2025
Stay Posted for this Special Announcement!
Participating Theatres:
Alley Theatre, Houston – USA
Mordem Arts Centre, Diyarbakır – Turkey
Theatre Direct, Toronto – Canada
La Covacha Teatro, México City – Mexico
Theater Festival/Assitej, Warsaw – Poland
Unge Viken Teater, Lillestrøm – Norway
Svenska Teatern, Helsinki – Finland
Drama for Life, Johannesburg – South Africa
Prachyanat Theatre, Dhaka – Bangladesh
Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires – Argentina
Unga Klara, Stockholm – Sweden
“This wonderful play speaks up for children all around the world and will be both acknowledging and empowering for all who get to see it. It’s a wonderful once in a lifetime project.” -Gustav Deinoff
Artistic Team
By/Dramaturge: Erik Uddenberg
Director: Gustav Deinoff
Scenographer and Costume Designer: Deniz Göl
Composer and Sound Design: Tayza Naing
Choreographer: Diana Meriline
Artistic Advisor: Lisa Marie DiLiberto
Child Advisor: Carmel Ketchabaw
From left, bottom of ladder: Lisa Marie DiLiberto, Diana Meriline, Alejandro Vivanco, Erik Uddenberg, Kari Ramnefjell, Deniz Göl, Carmel Ketchabaw, Tayza Naing, Rita Lemivaara and Gustav Deinoff
GUARDIANS OF THE GODS
A play about adults, for children.
Performed in 11 countries across five continents in 2025.
With a universal premiere on May 30th, 2025 in Diyarbakır, Turkey.
“It is very rewarding to unite people from all over the world on this universal experience:
being a child adjusting to adults.” -Erik Uddenberg
Sometimes adults seem like gods—powerful, protective, and kind. But they can also be unpredictable and dangerous. What adults often overlook is children’s unique power: their ability to see right through them.
Guardians of the Gods is a play about what unites children across the globe: living in a world ruled by adults. Written by Erik Uddenberg and directed by Gustav Deinoff, the play has been developed based on interviews with children and adults from 11 different countries across five continents. During 2025, the play will be performed in all 11 countries in their respective languages.
The play is part of The Childhood Project – a major international collaboration between all participating theatres, from Bangladesh to Finland. The project aims to enhance culture for children and young people all over the world.
The world premiere takes place in Diyarbakır, Turkey on May 30, 2025.
The Canadian premiere will be presented by Theatre Direct in Summer 2025
Stay Posted for this Special Announcement!
Participating Theatres:
Alley Theatre, Houston – USA
Mordem Arts Centre, Diyarbakır – Turkey
Theatre Direct, Toronto – Canada
La Covacha Teatro, México City – Mexico
Theater Festival/Assitej, Warsaw – Poland
Unge Viken Teater, Lillestrøm – Norway
Svenska Teatern, Helsinki – Finland
Drama for Life, Johannesburg – South Africa
Prachyanat Theatre, Dhaka – Bangladesh
Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires – Argentina
Unga Klara, Stockholm – Sweden
“This wonderful play speaks up for children all around the world and will be both acknowledging and empowering for all who get to see it. It’s a wonderful once in a lifetime project.” -Gustav Deinoff
Artistic Team
By/Dramaturge: Erik Uddenberg
Director: Gustav Deinoff
Scenographer and Costume Designer: Deniz Göl
Composer and Sound Design: Tayza Naing
Choreographer: Diana Meriline
Artistic Advisor: Lisa Marie DiLiberto
Child Advisor: Carmel Ketchabaw