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Polish Alternative Theatre during the Period of Transition, 1989–94

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2009

Juliusz Tyszka
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Abstract

AN ALTERNATIVE theatre movement emerged in Poland in the mid 1950s, following the post-Stalinist thaw. Its creators invented and applied new means of communication between actor and spectator thanks to their radical opposition to the mainstream state repertory theatres. This resulted not only in the internationally known achievements of Grotowski and Kantor, but also in the creation of thousands of independent student and amateur groups of great artistic and social importance. The new political and economic order in Poland has liberated these alternative theatres from their political duties and charged them with the even more difficult task of helping and supporting the search for new means of social communication.

Type
Research Article
Information
New Theatre Quarterly , Volume 12 , Issue 45 , February 1996 , pp. 71 - 78
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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References

Notes and References

1. The spatial configuration of Theatre Ochota does not meet the specifications of the Italianate proscenium stage, and after performances discussions with spectators of an informal and relaxed nature take place.

2. Quoted in ‘W teatrze i wokó† teatru’ (‘In and Around Theatre’), Teatr, December 1993.

3. Braun, Kazimierz, Druga Reforma Teatru? (Second Theatre Reform?), Wroclaw, 1979Google Scholar.

4. This is a huge annual fund-raising event for children in need of hospital treatment, which so far has taken place in the January of 1993, 1994, and 1995. It is co-ordinated by a pop idol of Polish youth, the radio and TV presenter Jerzy Owsiak. Thanks to the mass media, particularly TV, the show reaches the entire country. Most of the donations come from the proceeds of rock concerts, donated by their performers and organizers.