Starzynski

The legendary Warsaw president Stefan Starzyński, a symbol of the capital's resistance in September 1939, is the protagonist of the next musical premiere of the Teatr Syrena. The play is inspired by the biography “Starzyński. Prezydent z pomnika” by Grzegorz Piątek, published by W.A.B. Here you can read our conversation with the author of the biography.

The action of the show takes place in the evening, night and morning of October 26 and 27, 1939 — in the last hours that Starzyński spent in the town hall during the German occupation. Shocked Warsaw, boundless powerlessness, remorse, sadness and moral dilemmas. And outside the window - rubble, autumn, impending Dusk and darkness. Ghosts will emerge from memories, sleep and wakefulness are mixed. On this one night, the action of a musical about a hero, whose story cast in an unimaginably difficult and unobvious role for him is focused. To his own surprise, he played the role bravely.

The play uses excerpts from Adam Mickiewicz's “Dziadów”, quotes from speeches by Stefan Starzyński and statements by Ludwika Nitschowa from Polish Radio reports. In the visual layer, a dragonfly taken from the painting by Józef Mehoffer “Strange Garden” was used.

Trigger warnings about the content of this show can be found HERE [LINK]. Strobe lights and loud music are used in the performance.