Photo from Stefan Jaracz's Theatre
Director Marek Fiedor, in staging Tadeusz Różewicz's play, wants to investigate the mentality of his fellow countrymen
The author of Card-Index" / "Kartoteki is a unique dramatist who has few equals. Yet, the polemics of his creations substantially outweigh their significance. Continuing to disturb are the catastrophic visions of his plays, which appear increasingly painful and severe. The play was first published in 1969 and has lost nothing by way of current relevance. Indeed, in the face of modern social and technical devastation, with the de-humanization of life, its relevance has become even more emphatic.
This is a very specific play, says director Marek Fiedor. When it first came about it addressed itself to very current problems and fears, a population boom, the Cold War. I wouldn't exactly say that we're out to stage a re-interpretation. I care more about drawing new conclusions from Różewicz's metaphor. Our play will be more embedded in the traditions of the 1960s as well as Różewicz's idea of a giant rubbish bin, in order to describe the crisis in modern civilization. The identity of the play's elderly female protagonist also provides for a multiplicity of meanings.
Nevertheless, a strong contrast with other characters in the play satisfies her infallible humanity. She personifies worldly wisdom and represents universal, albeit unfashionable, human worth. Maybe she is Mother Nature herself imbued with energy and vitality that allows her to take up her place in resolute opposition to the destructive practices of man. She appears in defense of life and its rights.
- Tadeusz Różewicz's An Old Woman Sits It Out; director Marek Fiedor; lighting and set design: Justyna Łagowska; music: Tomasz Hynek; costume: Nika Jaworska; starring: Dorota Kiełkowicz, Barbara Marszałek, Izabela Noszczyk, Grażyna Walasek, Dobromir Dymecki, Mariusz Jakus, Hubert Jarczak, Przemysław Kozłowski, Radosław Osypiuk, Mariusz Słupiński, Michał Staszczak; premiere: November 13, 2010.
Stefan Jaracz's Theatre in Łódź
ul. Jaracza 27, 90-257 Łódź
Director: Wojciech Nowicki
Artistic Director: Waldemar Zawodziński
tel. (+48 42) 633 97 80, 633 17 70
Source: press release,
www.teatr-jaracza.lodz.pl