This was an energetic first presentation of „VHS”!
On Thursday, 7 November 2024, we presented for the first time „VHS”. The play by Marcin Bałczewski was awarded in the 7th edition of „Comedywriting”, organized by our theatre. „VHS” was produced on our Small Stage and directed by Sławomir Narloch, with Sebastian Jasnoch in the leading role.
Comedy needs artistic risk
- „VHS” was awarded in the 7th edition of „Comedywriting” – the all-Poland competition for writing a modern Polish comedy, organized by Powszechny Theatre in Łódź. Each time we – Polish Comedy Centre – premiere a new spectacle, it is a great challenge for us because in this way we verify on stage a brand new text that has never been produced before. I am always glad to take artistic risk because it is the only way to assert to value, to search, to deconstruct current order – Ewa Pilawska, director of Powszechny Theatre and originator of the competition, says.
How to break damaging stereotype?
- I am in the minority but as a young creator I am not afraid of comedy. I think that contrary to unjust opinion it is the genre which can very clearly tell about our problems – here and now. The ideas of Polish Comedy Centre and „Comedywriting” are very interesting because they fight unjust opinion on comedy according to which its only aim is to be light, easy and entertaining. I do not give up on it but in my opinion comedies can, in a very cendensed form, tell about important things – director Sławomir Narloch notices. – „VHS” presents problems that concern all of us – he adds. – „VHS” shows in a perfect way that comedy may present the same problems as „serious” plays do but it does that in a different way – Ewa Pilawska notices.
A play by a resident of Łódź and another meeting with Sławomir Narloch
„VHS” which was awarded in the competition organized by Powszechny Theatre in Łódź has yet another strong touch connected with our city. – All entries in „Comedywriting” competition are anonymized, they are only provided with emblems. When we read the plays we do not know who their authors are. We were very glad when we chose the winners, the envelopes were opened and we found out that „VHS” had been written by Marcin Bałczewski, resident of our city – Ewa Pilawska recollects.
- We are glad that it is the second meeting with Sławomir Narloch whom I invited to work with us. Last year he directed „Tutoring In Love” by Flavia Coste. Our mutual adventure began some time ago when I offered co-operation to the last year students of directing department and young graduates from the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw who might be interested in comedy (Wojciech Malajkat was the rector of the Academy at that time). The then-dean of the department, Marta Miłoszewska, sent our suggested plays to the students who were interested in collaborating with us. We received several explications, among others one from Sławomir Narloch which seemed promising. So we started our mutual adventure – I very much cared for a full professional co-operation. The spectacle’s budget was 100,000 zloties, the theatre provided full support – Ewa Pilawska says. – And now the time has come to continue our adventure.
„VHS” – Poland of the 90-ties of the last century and dreams of a better world
- The play is set in Poland in the 80-ties and the 90-ties of the last century. „VHS” is a story of a man whose trials and tribulations were entangled with social, structural and economic changes which took place in Poland just after the transformation. He decides to take the bit in his hands and comes up with the idea of his own private business. For this he intends to use a video recorder as well as pirated VHS cassettes – he would travel across the country and in depots in villages and small towns organize video shows of Hollywood blockbusters – Narloch explains. – Although it is a one-man show it has a very rich decoration. On the stage we will have the whole world of films presented by our hero from VHS cassettes. There will be music excerpts and quotations from various iconic movies of the 90-ties… – Narloch says. - The comedy will take us into the world of deserted gas stations, the Rambo-style movies and a Polonez car with a Christmas tree air refreshener. You feel the smell, don’t you? – the director says.
Thank you for the evening, for long ovation, discussions in the foyer and participation in the meeting with the creators which took place after the spectacle and was moderated by Jacek Wakar. Thank you for another evening with Polish comedy.
We invite you to the following presentations on 8, 9, 10 and 11 November and in next months. Tickets are available for 60 zloties (regular) and 40 zloties (reduced).
See our photorelation from yesterday night!
Marcin Bałczewski
„VHS”
Directed by Sławomir Narloch
Stage design and costumes: Maks Mac
Music: Jakub Gawlik
Light director: Karolina Gębska
Video: Sebastian Jasnoch
Cast: Sebastian Jasnoch
With a special appearance of Zuzanna Glądys (trumpet)
The spectacle takes part in the 31st edition of the National Competition for the Production of Polish Contemporary Drama Play
Powszechny Theatre in Łódź wishes to thank Mr Jan Wojciechowski for making a Polonez car available for the needs of photo session (FB: Komuny czar czyli auto do ślubu).
