„Machia” by Juliusz Machulski shown during the Festival

On 24 March on the Small Stage of Powszechny Theatre, during the 21st edition of International Festival of Plays Pleasant and Unpleasant, we had the pleasure of seeing „Machia”. Juliusz Machulski for the first time in the dramatic theatre is the author and director of the play. The spectacle was given a long ovation by „wonderful audience in Łódź which is my favourite city”, as Mr Machulski said.

„Machia” is the first play by Juliusz Machulski that is not a comedy. It is dedicated to Niccolò Machiavelli. It is a study of famous Italian politician and writer based on his works and political documents as well. The picture of Maciavelli is presented with the political landscape of Florence in the background. It sheds light on Italian Renaissance and presents timeless issues such as mechanism of power, certain arrangements, political intrigues, particular interests, actions taken for financial profits, negligence of human dignity.

During the meeting with the spectacle creators (which was moderated by Jacek Cieślak) Juliusz Machulski said that „Machia” was the result of his fascination with history and with 16th century Italy in particular. It is also an attempt to create a psychological portrait of the author of „The Prince” („Il principe”). The treaty became a manual of ruling for lords. Frederick the Great, Louis XVI, Napoleon Bonaparte, Otto von Bismarck, Adolf Hitler, Stalin and Mao Zedong were among its admirers. But Machiavelli in Machulski’s play is neither a tyrant not a teacher of despots. He is a conscious man who is carefully watching the reality and describing mechanism that rule the world. He is not giving any hints, he is only describing the actual state of corruption. He is giving a testimony about the world which is dominated by arrangements and ruthlessness. It is also a striking story about the condition of an artist, his involvement and inability of going beyond arrangements and political connotations. The story about Machiavelli’s „Sisyphean labour”.

Thank you for your presence!

Juliusz Machulski

“Machia”

Screenplay and director: Juliusz Machulski

Set design, costumes and lightning director: Justyna Łagowska

Music: Piotr Selim

Substantive consultant: Arkadiusz Stasiak Ph. D.

Cast: Adam Ferency, Piotr Głowacki, Magda Grąziowska