The Polish Theatre

I've been interested for some time by Polish theater.

I've read a number of translations of classic plays and I actually worked with a Polish company for some time.

Obviously, anyone coming new to the subject has to get past Mickiewicz etc and Wesele. There's also the late 20th Century work of people like Kantor and Grotowski.

My question is... what else is there?

Which kinds of theatre do YOU like/dislike? What would you recommend and why?

I'd like to go into some detail with this and see how far we can go...

Bagatela (teatr.pl) and for children (I think) Teatre Groteska (groteska.pl/index2.php) are both in Krakow.

check out Krystian Lupa and Tadeausz Kanor for starters- both are (Kantor is no longer with us) play directors.

Kantor was amazing. His work with Cricotis just incredible. Even tho' I don't understand what is going on, or get the text, the rhythms and images etc are just so stimulating.

Here's a clip of Dead Class. For those who don't know, he's the old guy telling people what to do. he appeared in his own shows as the director.

youtube.com/watch?v=ldgYYqpPv1g

I've seen films of work by Grotowski too. The trouble with Grot is that there's such an aura of 'guru around him that sometimes it gets too much.

I was asked about texts in English. I believe there are a number of Witkacy plays in English, as well as Wyspianski (Wesele) and Mickiewicz (Dziady... Forefather's Eve), Slowacki etc.

I heard it the same from the actor who worked with him.


I think Kantor is not for everybody, but he was one of a kind for sure.

Oh, for sure. The first time I saw dead Class I thought, what the hell is this garbage...?

I think Grots work is important from an actors point of view, for the discipline and dedication. The trouble is later it gets too unreachable. This makes people think it's oh-so-mystic. Who was the actor, by the way?

Personally, I think a lot of non-mainstream Polish theatre suffers from being too reliant on Grot and kantor. I've seen a number of shows using similar techniques, ugly scenes, 'grotesque' acting styles etc which seem to be the norm.

a little tedious.

Likewise, I saw a production of Non-Divine Comedy, a classic of Polish romanticism. It was ludicrous. I told a friend abot it and she asked, "Was it like when the English try to do radical Shakespeare". It was.

nobody famous unfortunately:).

Haha, very few are. I've just met a few and know folk who've worked with them.

I know some too, one of them is on Polish sitcom at present.

I just remembered Grzegorz Jarzyna who is another renown theatre director:).

polityka.pl/10-najwazniejszych-premier-teatralnych-tej-jesieni/Lead30,935,300734,18

here is a link to one of the most important Polish theatre premiers coming this season.

Too bad most of them are in Warsaw and too bad that I still cannot post an appropriate link;) wrrr............

Reading this might help. ;)
polishforums.com/guidelines_screen_shots_other_tips-23_34622_0.html#msg674778