„I’m Fine” at the 32nd Festival!
This play is about suicide, but it is also a deeply empathetic attempt to deal with death resulting from a suicidal crisis. Cezary Tomaszewski, a director and at the same time partner of the tragically deceased Norbert Bajan returns to the stage to reconstruct Norbert’s one-man show. On Monday, 27 April 2026, at the 32nd Festival we presented „I’m Fine” produced by Studio Theatre in Warsaw. The play, directed by Cezary Tomaszewski, was presented on our temporary stage in EXPO-Łódź Hall. The discussion between viewers and creators, creating a sense of extraordinary community, ended late at night. Thank you for this important meeting!
„I’m Fine – a solo-show filled with somewhat jolly songs and a single sad one” – this was the title of a very personal and full of humour story in which Norbert Bajan spoke abouthimself, life, and everyday struggles with a light touch and wit. After his death, the title took on a bitter meaning. Hidden beneath the layer of jokes and comedy, there lay untold hardships and suffering. The spectacle is also Cezary’s personal struggle with loss and longing. Humor is mixed with pain, laughter with silence, while the spectacle becomes an expression of mourning, the space for memory and love, as well as celebration of life and creativity.
- It is a very important spectacle. It brings us face-to-face with the death of a loved one, something we are never prepared for. However, death resulting from illness or the death of elderly parents somehow allows us to prepare for the farewell. Even if we are dealing with an accident, it is still different. Cezary Tomaszewski refers to his personal experience of his partner's suicide. I believe such a death leaves the closest person in a dark abyss of unanswered questions and is a burden one is left to carry alone for the rest of their life. Suddenly everything cuts off and we will never have the chance to ask, to understand… - Ewa Pilawska, artistic director of the Festival, notices.
Cezary Tomaszewski and Monika Obara took part in an extraordinary, lasting for over an hour and a half, post-show discussion with the audience. Tomaszewski spoke about how crucial it was for him to decide to create this show, yet at the same time how many doubts he had about whether he had the moral right to invite the audience to experience his private tragedy. During the discussion the viewers offered a range of perspectives on the play’s theme. We heard important and courageous voices from our viewers – including those affected by crisis, those dealing with their own illness or that of their loved ones, as well as doctors and therapists offering their help and support. The space to identify with what we see on stage, the opportunity to share our own stories, fulfilling the need to be heard, and the lack of judgment from others – these aspects of the meeting strongly complemented the play’s message.
At the end of the meeting Cezary Tomaszewski thanked for the invitation to the Festival – it was the first festival presentation of „I’m Fine”. He emphasized it was an extremely important experience for him because on the stage he could feel extraordinary energy and attention of the audience. Thank for the spectacle and thank all the participants for this important meeting!
STUDIO teatrgaleria
The Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz Studio Theatre in Warsaw
Norbert Bajan
„I’m Fine”
Directed by Cezary Tomaszewski
Script, music, lyrics: Norbert Bajan
Script cooperation: Cezary Tomaszewski
Dramaturgy: Iga Gańczarczyk
Substantive consultations: Halszka Witkowska
Costumes: Norbert Bajan, Cezary Tomaszewski
Light: Jędrzej Jęcikowski
Producer: Julia Tyjewska
Cast: Monika Obara, Cezary Tomaszewski
Photos by Joanna Głodek
