Tissue paper in the couch

It is a story about big and small history, about the power of community and the need for democracy, freedom and independence — values that are important even for the youngest citizens. From the puppet staging, young viewers will learn what the world looked like, which their parents and grandparents remember from childhood. They will learn who Wałęsa and Jaruzelski were, who the zombie was and what the paper in the couch was doing. It will be a somewhat crazy journey after the eighties for both children and their parents, told in an accessible and understandable way. “Paper in the sofa” directed by Michał Derlatka is a gift for children on the occasion of the 45th birthday of the Solidarity revolution.There will be queues for toilet paper, controlled conversations, vinegar on store shelves and censorship as well as unfair elections in which young spectators will take part.We will show people's miseries and dreams on stage, who came to live in the times of the PRL, their struggle for freedom, the confused realities and historical events of the eighties, and all this through the eyes of two shipyards who decided to wait out difficult times, locking themselves in a chest... and leave from her today, after 35 years. Is there a better future for them?

The play was based on the book by Michał Rusinek “Bibuła w tabczanie. About solidarity for children” https://lubimyczytac.pl/ksiazka/5199661/bibula-w-tapczanie-o-solidarnosci-dla-dzieci

The show was created in cooperation with the European Solidarity Centre. The production of the play was financially supported from the funds of the People's Theatre obtained from the Kraków Municipal Municipality as part of the 3rd edition of the Opening Festival.

premiere: 31 August 2025 at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk | premiere: 20 November 2025 at the People's Theatre in Cracow

This publication will allow you to transfer schoolgirls and schoolchildren to the 80s of the 20th century:

The educational materials were inspired by the play Bibuła w taczana (Bibuła w tabczana) of the Municipal Miniature Theatre (directed by Michał Derlatka), based on the book Bibuła w tabczana. On solidarity for children by Michał Rusinek with illustrations by Joanna Rusinek (Agora for Children Publishing House, 2025). Materials developed by Marta Jankowska, graphic design by Joanna Czaplewska.

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

— Grand Prix of the 32nd National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art (among 124 performances from all over Poland) for the creators and performers of the performance,

— Distinction of the Opening Festival 2025 at the Youth Theatre Institute,

— Theatre Award of the City of Gdańsk to Michał Derlatka for directing the play,

— Honorary Distinction of the Puppet Quality Certificate LAJK POLUNIMA 2025 for Michał Dracz — author of scenography and puppets — for creating a compact space, which is the driving force of the staging,

— ensemble acting award for Dariusz Czarniecki and Jakub Ehrlich during the 39th WALIZKA International Theatre Festival.

— Grey Viewer Award 39th MFT SUITCASE

The National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art aims to reward the most interesting repertory research in Polish theatre, to support domestic dramaturgy in its stage productions, to popularize Polish contemporary drama and to broaden the field of theatre criticism thanks to the presence of members of the Artistic Commission at performances in theatre centres throughout the country and their review activities.

The competition is organized by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute in Warsaw.

The substantive coordinator of the Competition is Dominik Gac, while the organizational and financial coordinator is Maria Stępkowska.