Pomeranian legends or the Łódź story? „Little Fifteen…” at the 30th Festival

The house of our Small Stage was more than full during the successive spectacle of the 30th International Festival of Plays Pleasant And Unpleasant. On Sunday, 10 March 2024, we presented „Little Fifteen – Pomeranian Legends”, directed by Tomasz Man. The spectacle produced by The Witkacy Nowy Theatre in Słupsk tells the story of the tragedy that happened in 1948 not far from Słupsk. During a scouting camp a group of girls set off on a boat trip across Gardno Lake. As it soon turned out, the boats were leaky and not all of the girls could swim… 21 girls and 4 women died in the catastrophe.

„Little Fifteen…” sparked off a lively debate during the meeting which was moderated by Jacek Cieślak after the spectacle. The creators emphasized that they first of all wanted to remind the tragic history which seemed to be completely forgotten in Słupsk. The viewers pointed out that in Łódź the history is known, it is not a „legend” but a „reality” – girl scouts of the „Zośka” 15. Łódź Female Scout Team called „Little Fifteen” came from our city. It was yet another emotional addition to last night’s meeting – the presence of one of the members of the 1948 scouting camp who had survived the catastrophe and came to see the spectacle. Daughter of one of the girl scouts who had survived the tragedy also took part in the discussion.

The discussion lasted until late at night – we talked about the creators’ inspirations, the characters appearing in the spectacle (people severly tried by the war), recollections of the catastrophe and attempts to cover up the tragedy by the communist authorities. Thank you for the important meeting and your presence! The second festival presentation of „Little Fifteen…” will take place on Monday, 11 March.           

 

The Witkacy Nowy Theatre in Słupsk
„Little Fifteen – Pomeranian Legends”
Written and directed by Tomasz Man
Music: Tomasz Man
Stage design: Anetta Piekarska-Man
Visualizations: Zuzanna Piekarska
Vocal training: Agata Walczak
Music arrangements: Cezary Reinert
Cast: Mariusz Bonaszewski, Bożena Borek, Katarzyna Pałka, Anna Grochowska, music band live – Maciej Młócinski (double bass) and Cezary Reinert (piano) 

Photos: Maciej Zakrzewski