This theatrical experiment on the classics of Polish Romanticism performed on the stage of the Polish Theatre in Poznań amused as well as outraged the critics and the audience. According to Witold Mrozek, it was the most feminist, political and cheeky performance by the Cecko / Garbaczewski duo.
We watch first hour of the performance mainly on the screen – once again, after the recent Ivona, Princess of Burgundy staged in Opole, Garbaczewski followed the conventions of horror and B movies. There is a neglected genetic laboratory somewhere near the Gopło lake. Balladyna and Alina are sitting at microscopes, and in order to make a living they work on genetically modified potatoes. In the shadow of this boring research, dark experiments are taking place. Filon, a frustrated scientist (Paweł Smagała) creates a hybrid genotype of himself and a plant; he breeds a flower-woman in the bathtub. On stage, there are special effects, explosions, phosphorus, flashing screens and strange creatures. Individually, most of these elements would be trivial, sometimes silly, sometimes to the point. This time, however, the quantity corresponds with the quality, and the large number of simple associations, swear words, and images creates a bigger picture. Suspended between irony and rebellion – an orchestra of bad taste, playing with virtuosity. A cannonade of provocation.
Reviewers praised the title role performance by Justyna Wasilewska, who was partnered on stage by Barbara Prokopowicz, Teresa Kwiatkowska, Paweł Smagała and Michał Kaleta.
Source: Rzeczpospolita, Gazeta Wyborcza, organizer's materials, ed. AL, transl. GS
