Attack on the National Stary Theatre

On March 21, terrorists are attacking the National Stary Theatre. This act of violence leads to decisions that will change the course of Polish history for good… Attack on the National Stary Theatre merges the intimacy of the testimonial, visual energy, and new technologies. It’s a journey through time, the thrilling pursuit of an alternative narrative about Poland and the world, a better vision of the future. All of this is captured as an epic tale of carving out a “new nation” from an individual and collective experience of damage and crime. The theme of Jakub Skrzywanek’s latest play is mourning, the emotions that come with it, and the role of the theatre and the traditional and new media in creating a tragedy’s story. Can we avoid transforming an event into collective trauma, can we break the mould of a tired and tormented Poland, captive to its past? Does art hold the power to release us from our national shortcomings and limitations? Can the premiere of Stanisław Wyspiański’s “Liberation” be salvaged, having been interrupted by the attack?

 

After the performance on February 4, there will be a discussion with NDR journalist Peter Helling.

 

With Iwona Budner, Aldona Grochal, Katarzyna Krzanowska, Dorota Segda, Karolina Staniec, Zbigniew W. Kaleta, Radosław Krzyżowski, Paweł Kruszelnicki, Grzegorz Mielczarek, Przemysław Przestrzelski, Kamil Pudlik, Łukasz Stawarczyk

Director Jakub Skrzywanek 

Scriptwriter Jan Czapliński, Jakub Skrzywanek 

Dramaturgical cooperation Dorota Semenowicz 

Costumes, Scenography and Space arrangement Natalia Mleczak 

Light and Space arrangement Aleksandr Prowaliński 

Music Karol Nepelski 

Video Natan Berkowicz 

Stage manager Zbigniew S. Kaleta 

Choreography Agnieszka Kryst 

Student assistantship Natalia Szczypiór, AST Krak, Max Nowotarski, AST Krakow, JAMU Brno