“Ball in the Opera” — a performance of the Integration Theatre of the Blind Actor

We invite you to a unique, courageous performance “Ball in the Opera” based on a poem by Julian Tuwim performed by the equally unique Integration Theatre of the Blind Actor ITAN from Krakow. We are pleased to once again host this great Ensemble in Skawina, this time with a highly original performance. ITAN is known for its out-of-the-box adaptations, unconventional stage solutions and emotional acting. We experienced this during the presentation of the play “Brother of Our God”. This time ITAN takes a totally different text to the workshop.

“Ball in the Opera” directed by Artur Dziurman is a contemporary, cinematic and theatrical interpretation of one of the most uncompromising works of Julian Tuwim. The poem, written in 1936, remains an extremely timely, ironic and grotesque diagnosis of a society in which money, power and appearances become more important than man. The creators of the play turn to this timeless satire to tell about the mechanisms that govern the world, which, despite the passage of ninety years, still surprisingly resembles the reality described by the poet.

The eponymous ball becomes a metaphor for a world plunged into moral chaos. Behind the facade of elegance, pomp and lavish receptions are greed, hypocrisy, cynicism and a ruthless struggle for influence. Tuwim's world is both grotesque and disturbingly familiar. Laughter is mixed here with bitter reflection, and seemingly absurd situations reveal the truth about human weaknesses. It is a story about a society that constantly attends the big ball, not noticing that behind its door reality begins to crumble.

Artur Dziurman gives this story its own stage language, combining a lively theatrical plan with a film image, music and expressive acting form. The various means of expression interpenetrate each other, creating a spectacle that defies the traditional formula of theatrical performance. The film is not only an illustration of the stage events, but an integral part of the story, expanding its space and interpretation possibilities.

An important dimension of the show is also its integrative nature. On the stage, actors who are blind, visually impaired and sighted perform together, forming a single artistic ensemble. For ITAN Theatre, disability is not the theme around which the performance is built, but a natural element of the diversity of its creators. The most important remain the art, the emotions and the story that the artists want to convey to the audience.

“Ball at the Opera” is a daring performance, provocative in places, full of black humor and social references. He does not give simple answers or try to moralize. Rather, it puts the viewer before an uncomfortable question: did the world that Tuwim mocked really go into the past, or did he just change the costumes, scenery and participants of the ball?

The show is intended for adult viewers. There are curses in the play.

“BALL AT THE OPERA”

Author of the literary prototype: Julian Tuwim Screenplay and adaptation: Artur Dziurman, Jakub Kłeczek Directed by: Artur Dziurman Music: Monika Bylica, Robert Bylica Producer: Danuta Damek Production: Integration Theatre of the Blind Actor ITAN, Kraków Form: film and theatre performance Premiere: 3 December 2024

Cast:

Joanna Bohosiewicz, Irena Budzyń, Alicja Czarnuszka, Renata Furdyna, Iwona Chamielec, Zaneta Kuss, Malvina Roczniok, Elżbieta Sielawa, Renata Szczepaniak-Pajor, Magdalena Sokolowska-Gawronska, Helena Suchan, Małgorzata Walkosz, Mieczysław Baczynski, Janusz Bak, Maciej Jackowski, Adam Lysek, Grzegorz Matysik.

Monday, November 30, 6.30 p.m., “Sokół” Palace, 7 Mickiewicza Street, Skawina.

Free admission on the basis of free tickets.

Booking of tickets from 3 November at tel. 12 276 34 64.

The number of places is limited.

Project implemented with financial support of Małopolska Voivodship

How to get there?

Palace “Sokół” is located in the City Park, accessible from Adam Mickiewicz Street and M. Kublińskiego Street. In the park itself, there is a ban on the movement of vehicles. Distance from the park gates to the Palace — entrance from Kublińskiego street approx. 200 m, entrance from Mickiewicza street approx. 150 m. Access by public transport bus to Skawina Szkoła stop (Mickiewicza street): 203, 223, 233, 235, 273, 295, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S1z, S3z, S6z. Railway station, Władysława Sikorski street, distance approx. 500 m.

Where to park?

Access to the building from the city parking located at Żwirki Wigury Street. It is a public car park, with more than forty parking spaces, among which three parking spaces for OZn have been designated correctly marked, with the correct dimensions. These places are located at a considerable distance from the building. The surface of the parking lot is lined with a concrete openwork slab, which makes it difficult for people in wheelchairs, moving on crutches or with a cane.

Familiarize yourself with the availability of the “Falcon” Palace.

Do you have special (different) accessibility needs? Report it to us: we will do everything to help! Contact with the Accessibility Coordinator: Joanna Kurpiel, tel. 12 276 34 64, (+48) 784 031 281, joanna.kurpiel@ckis.pl

Joanna Kurpiel

(AZG)