PERPETUAL COMEDY

PERPETUAL COMEDY

inspired by the comedies of Aristophanes and the essays of Rebecca Solnit

For an act so great, bold and courageous, In the day to come, we dare to somehow seize the helm of the state and finally bring order to it...

Modern Poland becomes the backdrop for a story that seems as if “out of the pen” of an ancient Greek mocker. The protagonists of the play, inspired by the characters of Aristophanes, are women who decide to join forces, take up the fight for their rights and improve their social status by raising the issue of gender stereotype.

Interspersing comedy with deep reflections on women's fate, the show shows the diversity of experiences of contemporary Polish women, who become a symbol of the struggle for equality, rights and the ability to decide their own lives. Inspired by the comedies of Aristophanes and the essays of Rebecca Solnit, the show brings humor, irony and absurdity to the stage, showing us that although time passes, some themes remain unchanged.

Can theatrical comedy still serve the function of criticism of society and politics, as Aristotle did, or has there been an evolution in the way these messages are expressed? How far are we from the ideals of women 2,500 years ago and is it time for further changes?

The play uses excerpts from the comedy “Lizystrata” and “Sejm of Women” by Aristophanes, translated by Janina Ławińska — Tyszkowska (ed. Ossolineum). They were inspired by the thought of Rebecca Solnit contained in the essays “Men explain the world to me”, in trans. Anna Dzierzgowska published by KARAKTER publishing house and quotes from the essay “Babka Pajak” from the above work were used.

The performance features: profanity, interaction with the audience, worldview issues, sexuality, abortion, flashing lights

More about the creators:

Anna Bochnak-Fryc is a graduate of the Gardzienice Academy of Theatre Practices and Adam Mickiewicz University, majoring in Philosophy, Social Communication and Norwegian Philology. She cooperated with Strefa Ciszy and Barakah Theatre, played in plays directed by Maciej Gorczyński, and co-created music for some of them. Singing is her greatest passion. For more than ten years, he has been performing archaic folk songs and also uses them in the process of creating music. Traditional works in her interpretation can be heard in the performance of the New Theater in Słupsk — “Blood Group”. He currently sings in the bands Akademia Voz Tradycja and Dobre Sobii. He writes his own lyrics and music. She runs singer workshops for big and small.

Krzysztofa Gomółka — Pawlicka — actress, pedagogue, theatre instructor, coordinator of cultural and artistic events. A graduate of the Alexander Sewruk Postsecondary Acting Study in Olsztyn and UWM with a degree in philosophy and caring pedagogy with social therapy. She has collaborated with the Gdańsk Archipelago of Culture and the Municipal Cultural Centre in Olsztyn implementing theatre projects integrating deaf and hearing people and with the Valldal Comedy Theatre. He cooperates with the Festival of Polish Feature Films and the Gdynia Główna Theatre.

Marta Jaszewska — actress, educator, cultural manager. A graduate of the A. Sewruk Postsecondary Acting Study at the S. Jaracz Theatre in Olsztyn and Pedagogy with a specialization in Culture Manager, UWM Olsztyn. He cooperates with the Gdańsk Society of Friends of Art, Gdynia Główna Theatre. Winner of the Award of the President of the City of Gdynia for her role in the play “And somehow it will be...” (2021). Scholarship holder of the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship (2020) and the City of Gdańsk (2021).

Małgorzata Polakowska — a graduate of the South Baltic Academy of Independent Theatre (2014) and the Academy of Alternative Theatre at the Jerzy Grotowski Institute in Wrocław (2016). Since 2014 he has been co-creating the Gdynia Główna Theatre's acting ensemble and producing performances of the Forum Theatre. Winner of the President of Gdynia Award on the occasion of the International Theatre Day 2021 for the role of Masha in the play “Mask” according to Stanisław Lem, winner of the team award on the occasion of the 20th National Festival of Contemporary Dramaturgy “Reality Presented” for the play WE EAT YOUR CHILDREN. With CEBULA of the Theatre on the Facts of the J. Grotowski Institute in Wrocław (2021), winner of the creative scholarship of the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship (2020), winner of the President of Gdynia award on the occasion of the International Theater Day 2018 directing and realization of eight premiere performances using the Forum Theater method, winner of the Galion Gdyński Artistic Award 2018 in category “Animation of Culture”, scholarship holder of the Ministry of Culture in the field of “animation and dissemination of culture”.

Grzegorz Kujawiński — a graduate of the Faculty of Film Art Organization at the State Higher School of Theatre, Film and Television in Łódź. For years he has been associated with the New Theatre in Łódź and Sopock Scene Off de BICZ. Since 2013 he has been cooperating with the Gdynia Główna Theatre. On a daily basis, she deals with promotion and PR activities. Director of the performances: “Brave Captain Ahab” Insp. “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville, “A cheeky story from a dusty shelf” according to his own text, “TEOHIPHIP” based on “Travel 20” from Stanisław Lem's “Star Diaries” and “Why Don't We Fly to the Stars?” based on your own idea.