A little something about a contemporary Polish theater in Lithuania

Seduced by the three Greek Muses – Melpomene, Calliope and Talia,  I often go back to the  colorful memories of the period of eight years (2001-2008) spent in the theater, acting at the High School named Simon Konarski in Vilnius.

As a graduate of the highly respected by me an executive drama club “Sketch” Beaty Kovalevska, I was able to see firsthand how much you need to work on the analysis of text, diction, stage movement to achieve the desired contact, not only with the partner stage, but also with the audience. It is memories of school theaters, resulted in the fact that I started to think about the situation in Lithuania, Polish theaters, whether or not there is a need for a modernized society Polish word heard from the stage. Julia Luzan said that “the theater is a way of life, and the game is not only a profession, but also the core, the foundation of personality”, after a brief analysis of the situation of Polish theater in Lithuania I found that many people feel the need for self-actualization is on the stage.

Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to watch the final launch of art Irenaeus Iredyńskiego “Creation” presented by the Polish Studio Theatre in Vilnius. However, after talking with friends who viewed the art, I can say that the three actors (Agnieszka Śnieżko, Robert Aliukonis, Witold Rudzianiec) very well complied with the tasks given to them. The final performance presented by the PST, I have seen, was mono drama “Dolls, my silent sister”, directed by Henry Bardijewskiego Lily Kiejzik, performed by Agnieszka Rawdo. I’m not a theater critic, but I want to note that, despite the difficult scenario, the young actress has managed to convincingly convey a mood, emotions that accompany a person with a mental illness, sincerely believing in it, it can save the world from destruction. I think that is the most difficult exam mono drama acting, which many people do not know and saying goodbye to the profession, however Agnieszka Rawdo with a help of the director Kiejzik Lily succeeded.

Another presentation that has been in my mind for a long time, was the art of “The Emigrants” by Slawomir Mrozek, directed by Slawomir Gaudyn. Two Edwards (Edward and Edward Kiejzik Trusewicz) masterfully showed what life is like for the emigrants and the conflicts which occur when one character comes from the middle class, and the other is an ordinary worker, who from morning to night, copies of ditches and nothing else he sees. The show raised a very important question about the limits of human freedom, and in a very subtle way to confirm the theory that not all gold that glitters. Undoubtedly, this show must be seen by young people who want to leave their homeland in search of a better life. Unit performed by Edward Kiejzika and Slawomir Gaudyn soon will be on display March 20 in Vilnius Theatre “Lele” (Street Arklių 5).

Speaking about repertoire is worth noting that the PST in its treasury also has performances dedicated to specific people who have contributed to Polish culture. In 2010, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Chopin and the 50th anniversary of the Theatre Arts Pohulance was exposed by  Alwidy A. Bajor “Chochochochochopin” by Lily Kiejzik. That’s when I saw the side by side several generations of theater: my Polish teacher Anna Gulbinowicz, lecturer of Vilnius branch of the University of Bialystok Robert Aliukonisa, colleague Jack Orszewskiego.

Then I realized that this theater is also a way of life and despite the passing of time, more responsibilities, people need a stepping-stone for those over 40 people on stage such an escape from reality is the PST. Another presentation, which I would like to mention is presented during the opening of the International Theatre Festival “Wilno” Polish Scene Meeting art Alwidy A. Bajor “my Angel right – my Angel left.” Presentation tells the biography of Czesław Miłosz. In the play are shown the most important moments in the life of Nobel Prize winner, for those who do not consider the Polish language lessons in school, it was a very good lesson, that shows a person is known all over the world.

The Polish Studio Theatre does not limit its subject matter but represents only the interpersonal relationship or occasional performances. In the play “ The House on the border” by Sławomira Mrożka, the viewer has the opportunity to see how the conflict arosed as a result of the historical-political turmoil which affects an ordinary family, whose house was not standing in the right place and at the right time. According to the critics, the show moves the problem of the existence of the border — cordon, artificial division, line marked on a map which does not count with our young motherland, and maybe even run through the middle of the yard, even between rooms in a House.

When I watched the performances by Polish Studio Theater, the question has arisen as to why in Lithuania there is no professional Polish theatre, why is still amateur theatre PST and if  someday it will change? On the latter question, I don’t know the answer, but I certainly know that the Polish theater is needed for several reasons: it is the bearer of the Polish culture, gives you the opportunity to get acquainted with the literature of Poland and allows for direct contact with the art of Theatre at the highest level and survival of authentic emotion in direct contact with the actor.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the large turnout of the audience during performances was influenced by several factors: great acting, relatively low ticket prices, but mainly issued selection of performances, the contents of which are valid, despite the passage of time. I base my thoughts only on activities of the Polish Theatre Studio in Vilnius, but it is worth noting that it is not the only Polish theater in Lithuania. There are other theater groups that also deserved to be noteworthy.

Source: http://kurierwilenski.lt/2013/03/19/male-co-nieco-o-wspolczesnym-polskim-teatrze-na-litwie/

Tłumaczenie Katarzyna Dąbrowska w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Katarzyna Dąbrowska within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.