CEZARY IDZIE NA WOJNE / CEZARY GOES TO WAR

REHEARSAL FOR TRUTH Theater Festival
Saturday, September 29, 2018
7:30 p.m.

Presented by: Komuna Warszawa, Warsaw, Poland and Polish Cultural Institute in New York
Conceived and directed by: Cezary Tomaszewski,
Script: Justyna Wąsik
Music by: Claude Debussy, Georg Friedrich Handel, Stanislaw Moniuszko, Dimitr Szostakowicz

The play deconstructs military ethos and pride to make the audience aware of their toxic dimensions and oppressiveness. The play draws on the author’s personal experience of having to appear before an army conscription committee. This memory serves as the vehicle for a funny, witty, and spot-on critique of nationalistic war discourses, which resonates with particular force in modern-day Poland. Using elements of Moniuszko’s and Szostakiewicz’s musical compositions and Nijinsky’s ballet Afternoon of a Faun, the director engages the audience in a series of subversive identity games that not only undermine gender norms but also turn the military ethos on its head.

Tomaszewski combines archaic forms with avant-garde courage, contemporary choreography with a dusted farce, Moniuszko with an absurd sense of humor. He’s making theatre which is approachable for everyone, though based on forms perceived as sophisticated; a theatre either ironic or affectionate.

Witold Mrozek Gazeta Wyborcza online

Komuna Warszawa explores key issues of the contemporary world, ceaselessly seeking new forms and means of expression. Since 2007 Komuna has been an important venue for theatre performances, as well as performance art pieces, lectures, film and video-art screenings, concerts and discussions. Komuna Warszawa has taken part in some of the most prestigious festivals in Poland and the world, performing at such venues as La MaMa in New York City, HAU in Berlin or 104Centquatre in Paris.

Book free tickets on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rehearsal-for-truth-cezary-goes-to-war-cezary-idzie-na-wojne-free-tickets-47700067185

Rehearsal for Truth Theater Festival is organized by Vaclav Havel Library Foundation and Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association, in partnership with Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Slovak performing arts institutions and cultural institutes to highlight Havel’s legacy as a playwright through live performances, panel discussions, exhibitions and an award ceremony. It seeks to establish exchanges between U.S. and Central European theater professionals. The festival reflects not only Havel’s contribution to 20th century theater but also his belief in the potential of Central European cultural traditions to enrich human existence in the modern age. Rehearsal for Truth Theater Festival is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

For press release click here