War on Words

The war is already upon us. And each and every one of us, consciously or not, is on its front. Disinformation is a weapon that Russia has mastered to perfection.

Theatrical creators, journalists and lawyers for several months conducted research on the mechanisms of this operation. They talked to experts, analyzed data leaks, mapped impact networks. What they collected, he translated into stage language.

The war of words shows this process from the inside. How does Russia rule the narrative? What consequences does this have in the lives of each of us? How did Ukrainians from brothers become intruders and a threat? And most importantly, who really benefits from it?

The show combines documentary narration with a minimalist, expressive visual and sound setting. It builds a multi-layered picture of the war, which takes place in real time, also during the course of the show.

The war on words is not just a play. This is a real response to the threat of misinformation. The creators, as in previous projects (including “Sad River”, “Border Situation”), also take real legal actions aimed at countering Russian propaganda.

Theatre rarely reaches for documentalism in its most eloquent and literal form. Even less often, he goes outside the stage to act legally, civically, politically.

Our show does both.

Starring: Olga Bołądź, Arkadiusz Brykalski, Mateusz Janicki

Written by: Anna Cybulska, Milena Kuchnia, Agata Patora, Filip Płuciennik, Hanna Stacewicz

Directed by: Institute of Performative Law

Dramaturgy: Milena Kuchnia, Filip Płuciennik, Hanna Stacewicz

Music: Dominik Strycharski

Visualizations: Michał Mitoraj

Coordination: Milena Paszkowska

Produced by: Milena Paszkowska, Filip Płuciennik, Hanna Stacewicz

Consulting: Michał Zadara

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The performance is a production of the Institute of Performative Law

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The performance was realized as part of the sixth edition of the OFF Polska program.

OFF Polska is a program of the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute. Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.