As we head to the start of Edinburgh Fringe and to the end of our interviews with cast and creatives, we speak to Cecilia Säverman who is the writer and actor of Daughter of Sweden – That One Princess Who Got Drunk with Lizzie I and Thrown Out of England.
How would you describe your show to someone discovering it for the first time at the Fringe?
A true story about a princess causing the biggest sex scandal in Swedish royal history, moves forward by becoming best friends with Elizabeth I before getting kicked out from England, reinvents herself as a pirate, gets exiled from Sweden, fights her whole life to retrieve her estates in Germany and lives to be 86.
What moment, idea or frustration first sparked this show into existence?
Hearing that Sweden had a pirate and then realising she was also a princess. But mostly because we share the same name, Cecilia, narcissist much? I thought it would turn out to be a lot less cooler than what I first heard, but it was the opposite.
How has the show evolved from its earliest idea to what audiences will see now?
It’s in English! And only 1 hour, instead of almost 1.5 hours. The first idea was having three actors/musicians, but then came the pandemic and voilá, it became a one-woman-show.
What makes Edinburgh Fringe the right place for this show right now?
It’s quick, witty, dramatic and epic. 100% Fringe. Plus, world politics right now is becoming more and more similar to when she lived, which is frightening. And slut shaming, honor culture, using womens sexuality against them to control them is all still very real. And she lived all over Europe, so she’s European business.
What does bringing this particular show to the Fringe represent for you personally?
Last time Cecilia Vasa, the princess and pirate, came to England she was thrown out, so let’s see what happens to me! Womens history is always mind blowing, and I’m so happy to share this amazing story outside of Sweden.
What has been the most unexpectedly challenging part of getting this show to Edinburgh?
That having a COFFIN forces us to driiiiiive and that means driving on the left side and omg. I hope we get there. And also doing an entire show in English about a princess who learns English in the show, because she longs so much to England, has been a challenge. How do you portray a non-english-speaker in English who then learns English? It’s been a fun challenge!
If audiences leave the venue holding onto one thing, what do you hope it is?
The feeling that you have to keep going. You can do it. Sometimes we’re struggling, and everything can be so tough and seem impossible and be so unfair and painful, but we have to keep going. Don’t give up. Stand up, and love yourself for every time you’ve ever tried, no matter the outcome. What would Cecilia Vasa do? (Don’t start hijacking ships.)
How do you think performing this show during a Fringe run will shape it?
It will become as tight as my poor, unstretched hamstrings. And omg I hope that all the English language theatre will just sprinkle it’s magic over me. I really, really hope I get influenced by all of the other shows! English language theatre is so goooooddddd, and I’ve seen so little theatre from other countries so I can’t wait to get inspired.
Who do you hope this show finds at the Fringe?
Women who feel like “wait, what happened to feminism?”. I hope they come and feel the power of women, floating through history. That we’ve always been both good, bad, wonderful, horrible, stupid and very, very funny.
Finally, if this show came with a warning label, what would it say?
Warning,if you’ve ever felt like you’re too much this show will wake that baby and make it cry.
Daughter of Sweden – That One Princess Who Got Drunk with Lizzie I and Thrown Out of England runs at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 17th – 22nd August 2026.