Devils

Maja Kleczewska is one of the most versatile artists on the Polish theatre scene. Winner of the Silver Lion of the Venice Biennale for Innovation in Theatre (2017) and of the most important prizes in the field of culture, such as Laur Konrad and Polityka's “Passport”.

An outstanding interpreter of the world classics - the drama of antiquity, Chekhov, Shakespeare, Mickiewicz, Wyspiański, she has the extraordinary gift of discovering their freshness and immutability of dramatic texts, seeking connections and contemporary contexts, both in a global and very personal dimension. “Devils” realized on our stage - whose script was written by Grzegorz Niziołek, are based on a real story. In the 1730s, the French town of Loudun took place in the French town of Loudun, the most notorious witchcraft trial in Europe, as a result of the mysterious, alleged possession of nuns in the Ursuline monastery and the involvement in this case, who was finally burned at the stake after the Inquisition process of the local parish priest — Urbain Grandier. After his death, for another 10 years the “Satanic Affair” was a breeding ground for lucrative (ticketed) public exorcisms staged on the streets of cities with the participation of nuns. She inspired and continues to inspire artists: Aldous Huxley (novel “Devils from Loudun”), Ken Russell (film “Devils”), Krzysztof Penderecki (the composer's first opera “Devils from Loudun”), Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz (short story “Mother Joanna of Angels”), finally Jerzy Kawalerowicz who filmed this story.

For Mai Kleczewska, the seventeenth century history is a pretext for a contemporary story about religious fanaticism, mass hysteria, hatred, political struggle and human tragedy.

Screenplay inspired by the following:Michel de Certeau Possession in Loudun Aldous Huxley Devils of Loudun John Whiting Demons Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz Mother Joan of Angels Into the Dark Night and Back: The Mystical Writings of Jean-Joseph SurinMother Joan of Angels — film directed by Jerzy Kavalerowicz — film directed by Ken Russell The Devil Movie directed by Barbara Sass

Warning: The show features vulgar language and drastic scenes. It is intended for viewers from the age of 18.
Sponsor of the show:

Partners of the show:

We would like to thank Aluprof SA for their help in preparing the show.

The play takes part in the 31st National Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art.

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 and to popularize Polish contemporary drama. The competition is organized by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute in Warsaw.

“Devils” was awarded the Golden Mask as the Spectacle of the Year.

The license for the use of the work, illustration music and choreography was granted by the Association of Authors ZAiKS