Warsaw's Rozmaitości Theatre is embarking on a project titled "Teren Warszawa" / "The Terrain of Warsaw." Almost simultaneously, Grzegorz Jarzyna will premiere George F. Walker's ZARYZYKUJ WSZYSTKO / RISK EVERYTHING, a production that has thus far been surrounded by intense mystery.
The Rozmaitości Theatre is initiating the "Terrain of Warsaw" program under its new brand name - "TR." The program will see theatre invading various corners of the capital city. In accordance with the motto "Theatre can happen anywhere," the Rozmaitości will step out of its tight quarters and transform old factories and hotels into stages and auditoriums. A different non-theatre space will be used for each production. Grzegorz Jarzyna has announced that this will place the Rozmaitości Theatre on a new artistic path along which psychological drama will transform into something more akin to reportage.
The "Terrain of Warsaw" project has also involved opening an Actors' Studio where classes are taught by Jarzyna, Anna Augustynowicz, Piotr Cieplak, and Łukasz Kos under a one-year program. This is supplemented by a Playwriting Studio (with seminars lead by writers like Lidia Amejko and Janusz Głowacki) and a campaign titled "New Directors," addressed to young stage directors who have yet to have their professional theatre debuts. All of these efforts aim to nurture productions of new plays directed by and featuring thespians of the youngest generation.
In the meantime, Jarzyna will also premiere his production of George F. Walker's RISK EVERYTHING. No official announcements have been made about where the play will be staged or who will appear in it. It is known, however, that RISK EVERYTHING will feature a female member of the Rozmaitości Theatre's acting troupe and students of the Actors' Studio. Walker's text, translated by Bartosz Wierzbięta, is part of a collection of plays titled PODMIEJSKI HOTEL / SUBURBAN MOTEL. RISK EVERYTHING tells the story of Carol, a gambling addict who loses some money belonging to a local gangster. Along with her daughter Denis and her husband, Carol attempts to extract herself from this predicament. Walker's play is a collage of various genres ranging from melodrama to thriller. Jarzyna's production will include no music, and scenery and costumes will be spare. All will be subordinate to a poetic that Jarzyna refers to as "real."
George F. Walker, ZARYZYKUJ WSZYSTKO / RISK EVERYTHING, translated by Bartosz Wierzbięta and directed by Grzegorz Jarzyna. A production of the Rozmaitości Theatre in Warsaw. Premiering on October 31, 2003.