Kosciuszko

Freedom! Equality! Love above all states!

The musical about Tadeusz Kościuszko is a daring story about a hero of his time, entangled in a great story and influencing generational changes. It is not often the case that the ideas of one person combine systemic transformations on different continents, penetrate into the consciousness of people of different origins and become an intelligible language beyond all divisions.

“The love of heroes creates,” wrote Jean-Jacques Rousseau in “New Heloise”, and he probably unconsciously dedicated this phrase to the young Tadeusz, madly in love with Ludwica Sosnowska. In the way of their love stood the ruthless father of the woman, hetman Sosnowski, for whom the main thing was the high origin of the candidate for the hand of his daughter. Thaddeus was rejected, and the insult he experienced became a strong impetus for further conquests, by no means love.

We will go on a journey around the world with its full-fledged citizen - a visionary of military engineering, a general, a friend of eminent personalities and ordinary people. An important and — as it turns out — long stop in his life will be the United States and the War of Independence, in which Kosciuszko played a strategic role. It's not just about the fortifications at West Point here, but something that requires just as much talent and predisposition. Well, our hero, as befits the country of origin of many musical genres, will start in the States... rapping! As teachers, he will have real masters - Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson or Alexander Hamilton.

Kosciuszko will fight in defense of the Constitution of May 3 and more often stand up for the freedom of others than his own. He will win battles, he will lose the uprising. He will end up in captivity, which will by no means suppress his vital energy, but, on the contrary, will awaken new talents and strengthen his fortitude. He will meet many women, but in their gaze he will always look for the missed past. He will explore the world, but his dream will be ordinary life. Can all this be accommodated by the biography of one man?

In the stage reality, Kosciuszko will live even more! The power of theater is the ability to combine facts and hints of imagination — from this ferment an alternative reality will be created. Does it take us away from the true story of our hero or, on the contrary, gives us a chance to live unrealized plans and dreams?

The role of Tadeusz Kościuszko is played by Rafał Kozok and Ludwiki Sosnowska by Ewa Szlempo-Kruszyńska. Konrad Imiela is responsible for the direction, script and lyrics, while Grzegorz Rdzak is responsible for the music and music direction. The choreography is created by Jacek Gębura, the scenography is designed by Justyna Elminowska, and the costumes are designed by Anna Chadaj. The visuals are prepared by Agata Bartos and Piotr Bartos, and Damian Pawella is directing the lights.