2025/2026 season in Powszechny Theatre in Łódź – a recapitulation

The 2025/2026 season is over – this was the time of the greatest modernization of our building at 21 Legionów Street. It was also the most organizationally demanding time in our history – due to the modernization we played on our two temporary stages, in EXPO-Łódź and Pieter Smit Theater Rock Polska. Thank you for joining us in this season of Powszechny Theatre in Łódź. 

During the past 11 months we prepared 5 first presentations, we gave 323 performances anad we ogranized almost 50 educational workshops, meeting with creators, discussion panels and exhibitions. A total of nearly 100,000 people took part in all the events.   

First presentations:  

• „The Change” („Zmiana”), written by Monika Czajkowska – the 15th new presentation in the original project „Child In A Situation” directed on a voluntary basis by Ewa Pilawska (first performance on 3 October 2025). „The Change” focuses on changes connected with adolescence – experiences young people encounter when their bodies begin to change. The spectacle tries to answer the question why it is still so embarassing and what can be done to change that. Beside the problem of physical changes, the spectacle talks about teen sexuality which still is a taboo though it is a natural stage of a young person’s psychophysical development. The play was commissioned by Powszechny Theatre. It was also presented in the „Reading theatre for the blind and partially sighted persons” project as its 76th presentation.   
• „Boeing, Boeing” written by Marc Camoletti, directed by Jakub Firewicz (first performance on 7 November 2025). The return of one of the greatest theatre hit shows that has been played for more than half of the century. „Boeing, Boeing” is a record holder among comedies – the play was entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the most performed French play in the world. The protagonist of „Boeing, Boeing” has three fiancées, each of them is a stewardess and each of them is sure that she is the only woman in his life. The spectacle was directed by Jakub Firewicz (who played the leading role in the 2013 version, when Powszechny Theatre staged the play for the first time). The new version has been dedicated to Giovanny Castellanos who directed the first staging. 
• „Shear Madness. Murder at the Hairdresser’s” („Szalone nożyczki. Morderstwo u fryzjera”), written by Paul Pörtner and directed by Marcin Sławiński and Arkadiusz Wójcik (first performance on 19 March 2026). New version of a cult comedy whose world premiere took place in 1999 in Powszechny Theatre. This season the spectacle, now presented on our temporary stage in Pieter Smit, was played for the 1,500th time! Starting this season a new salon was opened in EXPO-Łódź Hall by Antoni Niecierplikowski, a heir to the talent and unique style of the world-famous master of the scissors from Sieradz – Antoine Cierplikowski, friend of artists and crowned heads.    
• „Well, I’ll Be!” („A niech to gęś kopnie!”), written by Marta Guśniowska and directed on a voluntary basis by Ewa Pilawska (first performance on 27 May 2026). The spectacle for children based on a play of one of the most interesting directors of children’s theatre in Poland. With characteristic wit and linguistic lightness, the author creates a world that entertains both younger and older audiences, encouraging conversation about acceptance, dreams, and the meaning of life. The spectacle was also presented in the „Reading theatre for the blind and partially sighted persons” project. The latest (the fifth) play written by master of comedies especially for Powszechy Theatre is a tale full of irony and sharp observations on family relations. Beneath the light, comedic surface lies a story about prejudice, fear of the other, xenophobia, stereotypes, and past experiences that still affect the characters.
• This season we continued our series „Pro-rok Słonimskiego” (2025 was established as the Antoni Słonimski Year due to the poet’s 130th birthday). Director Ewa Pilawska invited Magdalena Lachman Ph.D., Magdalena Piotrowska-Grot Ph.D. and Prof. Beata Śniecikowska from The Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IBL PAN) to join the project. During nine consecutive meetings our actors – Małgorzata Goździk and Jakub Kryształ – interpreted poems, fragments of prose works, reviews, columns, and essays  by Słonimski.
• In May we announced the 8th edition of „Comedywriting” – the national competition for writing a modern Polish Comedy, the only such project completely dedicated to theatrical comedy in Poland. We are waiting for the entries till the end of October, the winners will be announced in the beginning of 2027.  

 The 32nd International Festival of Plays Pleasant And Unpleasant

Despite the modernization of our building at 21 Legionów Street, the 32 International Festival of Plays Pleasant And Unpleasant took place between March and June.

„We had to adapt ourselves to new conditions while preparing this year’s edition of International Festival of Plays Pleasant And Unpleasant. I have heard many questions and concerns whether – because of the modernization – we will have the Festival this year. Is it going to work? It is my great pleasure to confirm – it is (…).This year’s edition is an incomparably bigger challenge than usual, but at the same time a great satisfaction that we will meet for the 32 time” – Ewa Pilawska, artistic director of the festival, announced.  

„Each Festival is accompanied by a main idea which becomes a pretext for discussion. This year it is „Freedom in theatre?” I hope this will encourage discussion on freedom in general. (…) What does freedom mean in modern theatre? Is modern Polish theatre free and are we free in modern theatre?” – Ewa Pilawska asked in her invitation to the festival.

• We inaugurated the festival with „Kofman. Double Bind” („Kofman. Podwójne wiązanie”) by Janusz Margański and Monika Muskała, directed by Katarzyna Kalwat and produced by Nowy Theatre in Warsaw. The play tells the story of Sarah Kofman, a French philosopher and essayist of Jew origin, a collaborator of Jacques Derridy and Gilles Deleuze, who survived the war hidden by a Frenchwoman. Living between two homes, cultures, and religions forever shaped her fate, causing inner tearing and an inability to form a true bond with either tradition. 

•  „Antigone” („Antygona”) directed by Jakub Roszkowski and produced by The Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Cracow. A music adaptation of a tragedy by Sophocles, bridging ancient myth with modern-day issues, set to the rhythm of hip-hop. Protest music became a perfect medium of expression, capturing the characters’ tension and the chaos and helplessness depicted in the play after the disaster. The lyrics for the show were written by one of the most respected Polish rappers and lyricists, BISZ

• Master Presentation of „The Polish Thermopylae” („Termopile polskie”) directed by Jan Klata. It was the first presentation by Klata since he took over as the theatre’s director in September 2025 and at the same time the first presentation to mark the 260th anniversary of Narodowy (National) Theatre. The play, based on Tadeusz Miciński’s drama, depicts the life and death of Prince Józef Poniatowski and the Polish fight for independence. The play connects historical events with modern references. It prompts reflection on patriotism, sacrifice, and the meaning of history, as well as the fate of Poland and all of Eastern Europe.

•  „Blood Type”(„Grupa krwi”) by Anna Wakulik, directed by Wojciech Urbański and produced by The Stefan Jaracz Ateneum Theatre in Warsaw – a performance that asks universal questions about who we are and what shapes our identity. Is our fate written in our genes, or defined by our own choices, and does responsibility for the past end with our ancestors? It is a moving story that encourages us to reflect on our heritage and the consequences of the decisions faced by future generations.

•  „The Kielce Protest. Who Does Kielce Belong To?” („Protest kielecki. Do kogo należą Kielce?”) by Julia Nowak and Jakub Skrzywanek, directed by Jakub Skrzywanek, produced by The Stefan Żeromski Theatre in Kielce. Using the motif of modern tenement takeover, the play recalls difficult and often silenced events from the past, such as the 1946 Kielce pogrom. The spectacle shows how history influences the present and raises questions about collective memory and responsibility for local history. The story of a family celebration that turns into a painful confrontation with long-hidden secrets. The play explores the themes of violence, accountability for the harm inflicted, and the price of revealing the truth.

• „I’m Fine” („U mnie wszystko w porządku”) by Norbert Bajan, directed by Cezary Tomaszewski, produced by Studio Theatre in Warsaw – a moving story about loss, memory, and the struggle to come to terms with grief after the death of a loved one. The performance blends humor with painful memories to show how thin the line is between laughter and suffering. It invites reflection on mental health and how to keep the memory of those who are gone alive.

• Master Presentation of „Europa” based on „Europe’s Pledge” („Le Serment d’Europe”) by Wajdi Mouawad, directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski, produced by Nowy Theatre in Warsaw. The play explores the intergenerational transmission of trauma, responsibility and guilt, revealing how silenced crimes leave a mark on successive generations. Referring to contemporary conflicts and tragedies, it proves that the past continually shapes the present and that the memory of the victims cannot be erased.

The presentation was accompanied by discussion panel „The Krzysztof Warlikowski theatre phenomenon with the participation of theatre practitioners and theorists who have been following the director’s work for years. The participants were: Theresa Benér (Sweden), Guy Cherqui (France), Anna Lewandowska (Poland), Christian Longchamp (Switzerland), Carolin Losch (Germany) and Joanna Tokarska-Bakir (Poland).

• „The Pyramid of Animals” („Piramida zwierząt”) by Mateusz Górniak, directed by Michał Borczuch, produced by The Helena Modrzejewska Narodowy (National) Stary Theatre in Cracow.  The play, referring in its title to Katarzyna Kozyra’s well-known work, tells the story of post-1989 social transformations and the role of art in the contemporary world. By invoking the creators of the Polish critical art movement of the 1990s, it prompts reflection on creative freedom, the artist’s responsibility, and the place of art in social life.

• „The Match” („Meczycho”) – first presentation of a comedy written by Juliusz Machulski, directed by Tomasz Karolak and produced by Powszechny Theatre in Łódź. The spectacle was accompanied by discussion „Machulski – national treasure? The Juliusz Machulski theatre phenomenon”. It was moderated by Wojciech Majcherek and list of participants included director Ewa Pilawska as well as journalists: Jacek Cieślak, Jacek Wakar, Dariusz Pawłowski, Tomasz Domagała and Janusz Wróblewski.

• According to the votes cast by the viewers, the winners of the Audience Plebiscite of the 32nd Festival were: Best Actress – Maja Ostaszewska for the role of Sarah Kofman in „Kofman. Double Bind” by Janusz Margański and Monika Muskała, directed by Katarzyna Kalwat (produced by Nowy Theatre in Warsaw); Best Actor – Jakub  Golla for the role in „The Kielce Protest. Who Does Kielce Belong To?” by Julia Nowak and Jakub Skrzywanek, directed by Jakub Skrzywanek (produced by The Stefan Żeromski Theatre in Kielce) and ex aequo Piotr Franasowicz for the role of Christian in „Celebration” by Thomas Vinterberg and Mogens Rukov, directed by Małgorzata Bogajewska (produced by Ludowy Theatre in Cracow); Best Spectacle – „Antigone” by Sophocles/Bisz, directed by Jakub Roszkowski (produced by The Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Cracow). 

Jozef Robakowski created the poster for the 32nd edition of the festival. The poster was based on a series of Robakowski’s works of 1981 – „Handshake”. The festival was accompanied by the exhibition of photographs from the spectacles, presented in the Manufaktura Shopping Mall.  

Our performances at other festivals 

In 2025/2026 our spectacles were also shown outside Łódź:

•  „The Biedermanns” directed by Adam Orzechowski at 23rd Modern Drama Festival „Rzeczywistość przedstawiona” „Reality Depicted”) in Nowy Theatre in Zabrze;
• „The Change” directed on a voluntary basis by Ewa Pilawska at theatre festival for children and young viewers „Teatralne podróże” organized by Zamość Cultural Centre.

Awards and distinctions

• Director Ewa Pilawska was awarded  Badge of Honour for Merits to the Łódź Province for „outstanding contribution, through total professional, social and public activities […], to economic, cultural and social development of the Łódź Province”.
• For his role in „VHS” our actor Sebastian Jasnoch was singled out as „Hope” in the 33rd edition of „Subjective list of theatre actors”, published by Jacek Sieradzki, a famous Polish theatre critic.
• At the 23rd Modern Drama Festival „Rzeczywistość Przedstawiona” („Reality Depicted”) in Zabrze Karolina Łukaszewicz was awarded for her role of Luiza Biedermann and Arkadiusz Wójcik was awarded for his role as Brunon Biedermann. 
• „The Promised Land” directed by Maja Kleczewska  and produced by Zagłębie Theatre which was presented at the 31st International Festival of Plays Pleasant And Unpleasant made it to the finals of Energy of Culture Plebiscite.

Director Ewa Pilawska awarded prizes for the 2025/2026 season to: Marta Jarczewska (for the roles of Marta in „The Change”, Gęś in „Well, I’ll Be!” and Helena Dąbek in „Shear Madness. Murder at the Hairdresser’s”),  Sebastian Jasnoch (for the roles of Inspector in „Shear Madness. Murder at the Hairdresser’s”) and Paweł in „Boeing, Boeing”), Michał Muchewicz – deputy technical manager and Andrzej Rybicki – stage supervisor.     

Events and co-operations 

As always we participated in many local and national projects. During the celebrations of the International Theatre Day, together with the University of Łódź we presented the artistic installation „The Biedermanns. Return to home”. At the Biedermann Palace in Franciszkańska Street, where the idea for a play about the tragic fate of the Łódź industrialist family was born, we presented the final hour in the life of Bruno Biedermann and his family. The story, recounted at the very site that had witnessed these events, resonated deeply and left the audience profoundly shaken. The presententation was accompanied by the exhibition of photos taken during the spectacle.

 During te celebrations of the City’s Children Day at Old Market we presented our latest spactacle „Well, I’ll Be!”. We are glad we took part in this event, which drew crowds, and that we could bring a smile and reflection

Once again, we joined in the celebration of the Łódź Birthday. This year, we performed for you as part of „Summer at the Powszechny Theatre”, and we also prepared 4 shows with tickets at a special birthday price of 603 groszy. During the Breakfast Picnic in Survivors’ Park, organized as part of Łódź Birthday by the Marek Edelman Dialogue Center in Łódź, we screened our performance „Ferragosto”.

Besides we were engaged in many other events such as National Reading, Night of the Museums, Cultural Weekend for the Elderly, Senioralia, Theatres’ Spring, conference „Finacial Week” at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology at the University of Łódź where, together with the Student Research Group Progress we screened our performance „Tango Łódź” as well as education fair „Future Up!” where we produced special actor workshop. In the holiday season, we prepared an „Advent Calendar”, collaborating closely with numerous Łódź-based organizations and foundations dedicated to supporting the elderly and people in difficult life situations in our city.    

The season in numbers 

The theatre’s subsidy for the 2025/2026 season amounted to 11,842,107 zloties. Revenues on tickets’ sale as well as other revenues and financial means (donations from the projects of Ministry of Culture And National Heritage as well as from sponsors included) amounted to more than 4,500,000 zloties.

Information on our investement „Powszechny Theatre in Łódź – European Centre of Comedy and Theatrical Education” project   

The project is co-finansed by European Funds within the Regional Programme – European Funds for the Łódź Region 2021 – 2027

The project value:
- total value of the project „Powszechny Theatre in Łódź – European Centre of Comedy and Theatrical Education”: 59,926,055.00 zloties
- the European funds’ value: 26,952,813.40 zloties
- financial contribution of the City of Łódź: 32.876.850,00 zloties.