The Unbalanced Field: Lotta Schelin Tackles Gender Inequality in New Musical
Former Swedish national team football star Lotta Schelin takes on a new challenge, this time on the stage, starring in the musical "Så länge bollen rullar" (As Long as the Ball Rolls). Premiering at the Lorensbergsteatern in Gothenburg, the musical tackles the pervasive issue of gender inequality within the world of sports, focusing on the disparity between men’s and women’s football. Schelin, who readily accepted the role of team captain Nina, believes the subject matter resonates deeply with her personal experiences and reflects a crucial conversation within the sporting community.
The musical centers around the fictional Vide BK football club, where a newly appointed women’s team coach quickly realizes that the real battle lies not on the pitch, but in the entrenched sexism and unequal resource allocation within the club’s structure. Playwrights Martin Johansson and David Oest, also responsible for the music, drew inspiration from their own experiences witnessing firsthand the disparities faced by their daughters in the world of football. Their frustration fueled the creation of a narrative that highlights the struggles and frustrations of female athletes in navigating a system that often marginalizes their efforts and contributions.
Schelin’s character, Nina, embodies the dedication and love for the game that often clashes with the frustrating reality of gender bias. A long-standing member and captain of Vide BK, Nina finds herself caught between her passion for football and the increasing necessity to address the inequalities that plague her team and the broader sporting world. This mirrors Schelin’s own experiences, where her loyalty to the sport has been tested by the slow pace of change and the entrenched historical prioritization of men’s sports. The desire for rapid transformation in the face of deeply ingrained systemic bias forms a central conflict in both Nina’s journey and the overarching narrative of the musical.
Beyond the football field, the musical also showcases Schelin’s surprising vocal talents. Her participation in the TV show "Masked Singer" four years prior, where she was revealed as the performer behind the joker mask, served as a catalyst for embracing this new artistic avenue. While initially hesitant, the experience unearthed a hidden passion and gave her the confidence to pursue a childhood dream she hadn’t realized she still harbored. This newfound confidence led her to embrace the challenge of a musical role, despite the inherent nerves that accompany performing live on stage. The vulnerability and excitement of this new venture contrast sharply with the familiar adrenaline and pressure of a high-stakes football match.
This hidden talent resonates with an anecdote from Schelin’s childhood, revealing a lifelong internal conflict between pursuing music or football. As a heartbroken seven-year-old, she confided in her parents her inability to choose between becoming a professional footballer or a singer. Having achieved the former, this musical role allows her to explore the path not taken, fulfilling a latent ambition that now feels like a rediscovered dream. The parallel between Nina’s struggle for equality in football and Schelin’s own journey to express her full artistic potential creates a compelling backdrop for the musical.
The musical also provides a glimpse into the camaraderie and shared passions within the world of women’s football. Schelin reveals a playful tradition within her former club, FC Rosengård, where she, along with teammates Emma Berglund, Caroline Seger, and Olivia Schough, formed a quartet, serenading each other with harmonized renditions of "Goodbye Sweetheart" to combat the monotony of life on the road. This anecdote highlights the bonds formed within the team and suggests a potential future collaboration, hinting at the possibility of these football stars translating their locker room harmonies into a more formal musical project. This adds a layer of personal connection and real-world experience to the fictional narrative presented in “Så länge bollen rullar”.
