Directed by Pawel Szkotak, Polski Theatre in Poznań, November 2001.
The Dead Princess tells the story of a female employee of a suburban veterinary clinic where an electrical device is used to put stray dogs to sleep. During the day Rimma brings death to animals, at night she drinks herself numb with the locals. Incessantly on her mind is Pushkin's fairy tale about the sleeping princess finally woken by her long-awaited prince.
This is the first production of Kolada's play in a Polish theatre. Deciding to stage it - Paweł Szkotak, creator of the well-known, alternative Biuro Podróży Theatre. In sketching the world created by Kolada, the director takes care not to paint it too black and steers away from excessive sentimentality.
The four heroes could easily feel at home in an animal cage, that's how far they've reduced their human aspirations. Paweł Szkotak consciously leads us away feeling sorry for them. Instead, he focuses our attention on the character of Rimma, an executioner of homeless beasts. Beata Bandurska is penetrating, engaging, and uses sparing means in her portrayal of a woman who gradually matures toward suicide, that is, humanity. (Jacek Sieradzki, Polityka).
Roman Pawłowski of Gazeta Wyborcza is just as enthusiastic about the portrayal of Rimma:
Since I saw her in Warsaw in Sarah Kane's 'Blasted', this actress has developed mightily. She has rid herself of hysteria and exhibitionism, her acting has become very conscious... Bandurska superbly displays the fairy tale transformation from human scrap to beautiful woman. (Roman Pawlowski, Gazeta Wyborcza).
- Nikolai Kolada, MARTWA KRÓLEWNA / THE DEAD PRINCESS, translation: Jerzy Czech, direction: Paweł Szkotak, scene design: Izabela Kolka. Premiere: November 10, 2001 at the Polski Theatre in Poznań.