Bergman Foundation Makes Adaptation of Screenplays & Teleplays Easier

A recent Variety article focused on the growing popularity of and ability to adapt Ingmar Bergman's screenplays to the stage.

After the death of Ingmar Bergman in 2007, control of his works passed to the Bergman Foundation, which seems to be more open to the idea of adaptation than Bergman was. Although, before his death, he did give his nod of approval for an adaptation of THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY after a long correspondence with producer Andrew Higgie.

Andrew Higgie's production of THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY (adapted by Jenny Worton) opened at London's Almeida Theater June 16. The other two English-speaking adaptations that have been sanctioned by the Bergman Foundation were THE DEVIL'S EYE adapted by Michael Moon and performed at Hollywood's Arena Stage and THE SEVENTH SEAL performed in 2009 at Cardiff's Chapter Arts Center.

Michael Callahan, who works at Josef Weinberger which handles the rights to Bergman's works, said that one of the reasons US and UK productions are slower to appear is because, "A lot of it has to do with the royalties split in the English-language market by the time you get a translator involved."

Andrew Higgies got involved in adapting Bergman after a conversation with Cate Blanchett. He said, "We were talking about Chekhov, and when was the last time you'd seen a Bergman screenplay done onstage, because he is so like Chekhov," Higgie recalls. "Hang on! None of us had seen an adaptation of a Bergman screenplay. And he is so ripe for stage adaptation."

But although it may become easier for Bergman's screenplays and teleplays to find a place on the stage, one huge restriction will remain in place despite his death...they cannot be filmed again.

For the full article from Variety, click here.