Foreplay

The starting point of “Foreplay” is the true story of Gabby Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundri, who in 2021 embarked on a dream trip through the United States of North America, visiting the most beautiful national parks. The girl posted attractive photos and videos on the network, which attracted many followers. Images of lovers against the backdrop of beautiful outdoors were part of the trends promoting happy relationships and perfect lives.

Everything worked out like in a movie, until the news of the disappearance of the blogger went viral, and soon after the disappearance of Brian, until finally the tragic end of the search for the couple. The case generated tremendous media attention and raised the issue of downplaying intimate partner violence. On July 1, 2024, the “Gabby Petito Act” was passed in Florida, a law designed to improve law enforcement's response to cases of harassment of loved ones.

The play “Foreplay” portrays Patty and Brad's fates, inspired by a high-profile media affair, and looks at the patterns of love in which we were raised and which were culturally imposed on us. What behaviors do we see as romantic and which ones do we turn a blind eye to even if they are hurtful? What forms of control are compromises for us? And finally: what do we call the love we sing about? “Foreplay” immerses the audience in the emotions that social media arouses in us focused on watching and being watched. Are millions of virtual fans a reality that has forever determined to be or not to be human in real life?

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The play “Preliminary Games” 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.

In the first stage of the Competition, the performances are evaluated by the Artistic Committee composed of: Jacek Sieradzki (chairman), Adam Karol Drozdowski, Dominik Gac, Anna Pajęcka, Kamila Łapicka, Eryk Maciejowski, Wiktoria Wojas.