Actors Pippi Longstocking reunion

Back then she was the girl with the red braids and the colourful clothes. I'm sure she has a new ward-robe now. She is here tonight: Inger Nilsson, ladies and gentlemen. How nice! I'm so happy, I know you have done so many other things but Pippi is in our hearts and we love you for this role. How did it all get started, how did you get the part of Pippi? Well, they were asking on a TV-show for a girl and I asked my parents please send a photo of me. They said, if you want... And that's the way. And then a lot of auditions. And you beat all the others? Yes. You also met Astrid Lindgren, what was she like, I have a nice picture of the both of you. Yes, she was very nice and a very special person, really fantastic. You played Pippi for several years, everywhere in Europe, in Barbados... ...as a child you must have been homesick and not be so happy with Astrid Lindgren and her nice books? The first time we went away... ...I had never been away from home... ...it was a big change for me. Everyone thought standing in front of a camera would be difficult... ... but for me it was being away from my family. I was always mommy's child and then I had to go away... ...but everyone was very nice to me. It was difficult for me. The best friends of Pippi were Tommy and Annika, these very well-behaved children. We have a small clip, Pippi is cleaning the house and we see all three of them. You were so cute, so cute. - Tommy and Annika and Pippi were inseparable. Inger, you are an actress... ...you chose this profession, do you know what has become of Tommy and Annika, what they have been up to these last 20 years? Yes, I know that Pär, Tommy, he is not working as an actor, he is in business and Maria lives in Mallorca. And you did not see each other for over 20 years? Pär I met, I think it was 10 years ago, in Stockholm at some event... ...but Maria I have not seen since I was 18, a very long time. Some time has passed, I think it is time for a family reunion and it will happen right now in the kitchen of our villa Villekulla, Inger please follow. We have a small suprise, here they are. Maria Persson and Pär Sundberg, Tommy and Annika, isn't that nice. Inger, would you like to clean again? -No. Leave them, no cleaning tonight. You did not see each other for such a long time, would you have recognized each other on the street? I would have recognized Pär but I have not seen Maria in such a long time, back then she had dark hair and my hair is blonde. We love to change to colour of our hair, but I don't think I would have recognize her, maybe the eyes. What doesn't change is Inger's smile. We already heard from Inge she is still acting, what are you doing nowadays? Maria, you are living now in Mallorca? Yes, I work on community projects in Palma. And you have a son, Oskar... Yes, I have. ...and he is in the audience. Was he able to see Pippi Longstocking in Mallorca? Yes of course, he saw all episodes. Does he like Pippi or Annika better? That is a difficult question. Pär, what do you do, what happened since Pippi? -I retired when I was 13, my career was over. What happened then, no more movies? No more movies, the traditional stuff... ...I studied and then I started to work I heard that when you were shooting the movies... ...the situation became like Beatlemania with so many enthousiastic people. When you appeared together thousands of people showed up... ...which can be intimidatng for children. It must have influenced your life to an extent? No, it was pure fun. Do you remember when we appeared in Stockholm? There was a podium in front of a department store, with thousands of children, pure fun, and we rode on a horse... ...inside the store, signing records. Do you still know the theme song? Can you join in Swedish? I promised myself I would never sing that song again. No more! I wish you all the best in your life without Pippi Longstocking but let me tell you... ...you gave us a happy childhood for which we thank you. Nice to have you here, backstage there is wine and food... ...and have a nice reunion with each other. Ladies and gentlemen: Maria Persson, Inger Nilsson and Pär Sundberg. Thank you so much.