In the twenty-first century, the memory of the theatre has been democratised.
The period from 1989 to 2024 is a time of dynamic changes. These affect not only the substance of the theatre but also the conventions of photography and the technical revolution, which has led to an explosion of colours, photographic styles, and a diversification of the media that carry the memory of the theatre.
At the turn of the century, the theatre underwent a radical metamorphosis. A new trend emerged that put the audience at the centre. Theatre became socially engaged, bringing taboo subjects to the stage and revealing what had previously been hidden from sight. Today, issues such as gender, sexuality, racism, and otherness are openly discussed. As well as illness, violence and religion. Theatres open their stages to people with disabilities, sexual and racial minorities, and their representatives. The people who speak for these groups may not be professionals, but authenticity speaks in their defence. In this way, the boundary between the created and the private and authentic is blurred, and participatory theatre representing the excluded emerges.
High-tech and multimedia enter the scene: micro ports, projections, screens, cameras and VR. Pop culture is expanding. Theatre mixes with other media such as film, video art, performance, dance, and music videos. Carefully designed costumes are increasingly replaced by everyday clothes from chain stores or second-hand shops. Sets are often created by visual artists, and they resemble installations from contemporary art galleries or, conversely, are replaced by austere interiors of halls, back rooms, basements and corridors. The acting also changes. It is infused with performative elements, dance, and improvisation. The language becomes more colloquial, sometimes vulgar.
At the same time, a technological revolution in photography took place. Colour photography, which initially seemed to reflect reality more faithfully, became widely available. The first experiments were imperfect, and the quality of the results deteriorated. The films were not sensitive enough, resulting in blurred, grainy images with poor white balance. The discoloured images lack detail in the shadows and lose the nobility of their black-and-white predecessors. This applies to both photography and video.
The Curtain
Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków
From the 50/50 series
Wielki Theatre – National Opera in Warsaw
Elements of the set design for Spleen Figurentheater Wilde&Vogel presented during the Puppet Metamorphoses Festival
Puppet Theatre in Białystok
The stage horizon
Presentation by the Musical Academy
Roma Theatre in Warsaw
Elements of the set design for Jeńczyna dir. Monika Strzępka
Presentation during the 41st Warsaw Theatre Meetings
Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre in Warsaw
Theatre interiors
TR Warszawa
Fragment of the set design for Hemel by Theater Taptoe presented during the Puppet Metamorphoses Festival
Puppet Theatre in Białystok
Fragment of the set design for The Hobbit
Aleksander Węgierka Dramatyczny Theatre in Białystok
The backstage
Aleksander Węgierka Dramatyczny Theatre in Białystok
Fragment of the set design for I, Sisiphus by Puppets Lub presented during the Puppet Metamorphoses Festival
Puppet Theatre in Białystok
Photograph for the poster for 4.48 Psychose dir. Natasza Gerlach
Props
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
Costume by Hanna Bakuła for Carmen
Wielki Theatre – National Opera in Warsaw
At the request of the Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre
Costume by Marta Szypulska for Heksy dir. Monika Strzępka
Warsaw
Fragment filmu dokumentalnego „Stary”, 73 minuty
Assembling the set design by Anna Met for Halka dir. Anna Smolar
Presented during the 42nd Warsaw Theatre Meetings
Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre in Warsaw
Andrzej Tadeusiak fixing a mask from The Adventures of Nicholas
Arlekin Puppet Theatre in Łódź
Employee of the costume shop, Barbara Piechówka
Ludowy Theatre in Kraków
Ewelina Pankowska is portrayed in the photograph
Rehearsals for Cinema of Moral Anxiety dir. Michał Borczuch
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
A presentation by the Musical Academy
Roma Theatre in Warsaw
Self-portrait
TR Warszawa
A portrait of Krystian Lupa
The backstage of Malte or a Triptych of the Prodigal Son dir. Krystian Lupa
Helena Modrzejewska Stary National Theatre in Kraków
Rob Wasiewicz is portrayed in the photograph
The backstage of The Faustus dir. Michał Borczuch
Hieronim Konieczka Polski Theatre in Bydgoszcz
Jolanta Janiczak is portrayed in the photograph
The backstage of Dead Girls Wanted dir. Wiktor Rubin
Zagłębia Theatre in Sosnowiec
Mama, Zuzanna Czerniejewska-Stube is portrayed in the photograph
Aleksander Fredro Theatre in Gniezno
Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik is portrayed in the photograph
The backstage of The Odyssey. A History for Hollywood dir. Krzysztof Warlikowski
Théâtre National La Colline in Paris
Justyna Wasilewska is portrayed in the photograph
The film set of the Maria Klassenberg mockumentary dir. Magdalena Hueckel and Tomasz Śliwiński
Katarzyna Krzanowska is portrayed in the photograph
A still from the film The Old One dir. Magdalena Hueckel and Tomasz Śliwiński
Kraków
The backstage of Black Skin, White Masks dir. Wiktor Bagiński
Jan Kochanowski Theatre in Opole
Artur Święs is portrayed in the photograph
Stanisław Wyspiański Śląski Theatre in Katowice
The backstage of Three Sisters dir. Jędrzej Piaskowski
The Divine Comedy International Theatre Festival, Kraków
Daily Life A.D. 2022, Liubov Korch is portrayed in the photograph
After a performance of Three Episodes from the Life of a Family dir. Markus Öhrn
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
Photograph from Sztuka dir. Krystiana Lupy
Helena Modrzejewska Stary National Theatre in Kraków
Photograph from The Siblings dir. Krystian Lupa
Helena Modrzejewska Stary National Theatre in Kraków
Bożena Eltermann and Krzysztof Leon Dziemaszkiewicz are portrayed in the photograph in the costumes of the set designer and co-author of the play, Zofia de Ines
A performance of Idols of Perversion dir. Wojciech Misiuro
Teatr Ekspresji in Gdańsk
Mariusz Benoit and Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik are portrayed in the photograph
A performance of Bacchae dir. Krzysztof Warlikowski
Rozmaitości Theatre in Warsaw
Magdalena Cielecka is portrayed in the photograph
A performance of 4.48 Psychosis dir. Grzegorz Jarzyna
Rozmaitości Theatre in Warsaw
Jacek Poniedziałek and Thomas Schweiberer are portrayed in the photograph
A performance of Cleansed dir. Krzysztof Warlikowski
Rozmaitości Theatre in Warsaw
Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik is portrayed in the photograph
A performance of Cleansed dir. Krzysztof Warlikowski
Rozmaitości Theatre in Warsaw
Magdalena Cielecka is portrayed in the photograph
A performance of The Tempest dir. Krzysztof Warlikowski
Rozmaitości Theatre in Warsaw
Photograph from Three Sisters dir. Luk Perceval
TR Warszawa
Photograph from The Death of John Paul II dir. Jakub Skrzywanek
Polski Theatre in Poznań
Photograph from The Lake dir. Yana Ross
TR Warszawa
Photograph from The Winter Journey dir. Maja Kleczewska
Hieronim Konieczka Polski Theatre in Bydgoszcz
Photograph from The End dir. Krzysztof Warlikowski
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
Photograph from Hamlet dir. Krzysztof Garbaczewski
Helena Modrzejewska Stary National Theatre in Kraków
Photograph from The Curse dir. Oliver Frljić
Zygmunt Hübner Powszechny Theatre in Warsaw
Anna Kieca and Anna Błaut are portrayed in the photograph
A performance of City Birdman dir. Weronika Szczawińska
Współczesny Theatre in Wrocław
Aneta Harasimczuk is portrayed in the photograph
Rehearsal for Palace Cinema dir. Marek Zákostelecký
Lalka Theatre in Warsaw
Photograph from The Ghost King | 2022 by a collective made up of Piotr Mateusz Wach / Michał Telega / Piotr Korzeniak / Marek Szajnar
Układ Formalny Theatre in Wrocław
Bartosz Bielenia and Piotr Polak are portrayed in the photograph
A performance of Cinema of Moral Anxiety dir. Michał Borczuch
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
Agnieszka Kryst is portrayed in the photograph
Expiria dir. Agnieszka Kryst
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
Photograph from One Gesture dir. Wojtek Ziemilski
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
Photograph from Three Episodes from the Life of a Family dir. Markus Öhrn
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
Photograph from A Pleasant Job dir. Agnieszka Jakimiak
Aleksander Fredro Theatre in Gniezno
Konrad Beta is portrayed in the photograph
A performance of A Craze. Last Minute dir. Ewelina Marciniak
Współczesny Theatre in Szczecin
Photograph from Dus buch fyn Gan Ejdn / The Book of Eden dir. Damian Josef Neć
Estera Rachel and Ida Kamińska Żydowski Theatre in Warsaw
Photograph from The Grimm Brothers for Adults dir. Remigiusz Brzyk
Juliusz Osterwa Theatre in Lublin
Photograph from Balladyna, Flowers Will Not Protect You dir. Wojciech Faruga
Jerzy Szaniawski Dramatyczny Theatre in Wałbrzych
Photograph from Death and the Maiden dir. Ewelina Marciniak
Polski Theatre in Wrocław
Photograph from Peter Pan dir. Anna Ilczuk
Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre in Warsaw
Photograph from Paradise. A Tutorial dir. Jędrzej Piaskowski
Jerzy Szaniawski Dramatyczny Theatre in Wałbrzych
Photograph from Forefathers’ Eve dir. Michał Zadara
Polski Theatre in Wrocław
Photograph from The Lips are Sealed dir. Lena Frankiewicz
Współczesny Theatre in Wrocław
Photograph from Capri – The Island of Refugees dir. Krystian Lupa
Zygmunt Hübner Powszechny Theatre in Warsaw
Photograph from Iwona, Princess of Burgundy dir. Adam Orzechowski
Wybrzeże Theatre in Gdańsk
Photograph from The Judges dir. Anna Augustynowicz
Aleksander Fredro Theatre in Gniezno
From the New Forms of Theatre series
Mazovian Institute of Culture in Warsaw
Zofia de Ines is portrayed in the photograph
Anna Radwan and Adam Nawojczyk are portrayed in the drawing
Documentation for The Kings of Poland dir. Krzysztof Garbaczewski
Helena Modrzejewska Stary National Theatre in Kraków
Agnieszka Przepiórska is portrayed in the photograph
Photo shoot promoting the one-actress play People Don’t Die in May. The Story of Barbara Sadowska dir. Anna Gryszkówna
Warsaw
The trailer for The Well-Behaved Young Man dir. Wiktor Rubin
Kazimierz Dejmek Nowy Theatre in Łódź
The trailer for The Employees dir. Łukasz Twarkowski
STUDIO theatregallery in Warsaw
The trailer for The Slave Isaura dir. Martyna Majewska
Jerzy Szaniawski Dramatyczny Theatre in Wałbrzych
The trailer for The End of Eddy dir. Anna Smolar
STUDIO theatregallery in Warsaw
VR Experience Aporia. The City is the City
Photograph promoting the Blissfullly performance by Ramona Nagabczyńska
Warsaw
Promotional photo shoot for the Białystok Branch of the Aleksander Zelwerowicz Theatre Academy
Photograph promoting Officer, We are Only Dancing dir. Marta Ziółek
Warsaw
Promotional photo shoot for Free Bodies by Marta Ziółek
Warsaw
Ułańskie fantazje, an action of the Czarne Szmaty and Pat Mic collective
Photograph promoting Maiden Vows dir. Andrzej Błażewicz
Polski Theatre in Poznań
Photograph promoting The Family dir. Justyna Sobczyk
TR Warszawa
Małgorzata Gorol is portrayed in the photograph
A protest of the acting ensemble of the Polski Theatre in Wrocław against the appointment of Cezary Morawski as the theatre director
In front of the Polski Theatre building
Photograph from The Trial dir. Krystiana Lupa
Nowy Teatr in Warsaw
A portrait of the actors and the audience after a performance of The Wedding dir. Jan Klata
Helena Modrzejewska Stary National Theatre in Kraków
Monika Strzępka is portrayed in the course of her suspension in the role of Director the Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre
Warsaw
At the request of the Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre
Response of the editorial team of Dialog monthly to the solidarity happening #Let’sStayInDialogue, Magda Mosiewicz is portrayed in the photograph
43rd Warsaw Theatre Meetings
The Theatre is Ours, a protest against the dismissal of Krzysztof Głuchowski from the position of director of the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre
Kraków
The ДЕТИ sign in front of the Palace of Culture and Science. A gesture of solidarity with the civilians from the bombed theatre in Mariupol
Warsaw
A protest in front of the Zygmunt Hübner Powszechny Theatre agains The Curse dir. Oliver Frljić
Warsaw
Nationwide protest of the Defenders of Sacred Faith against The Curse dir. Oliver Frljić in front of the Powszechny Theatre
Warsaw
Nationwide protest of the Defenders of Sacred Faith against The Curse dir. Oliver Frljić in front of the Powszechny Theatre
Warsaw
Magdalena Świątkowska is portrayed in the photograph
A performance of The Revolution That Wasn't by Theatre 21
Soho Theatre in Warsaw
At the request of the Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre
Agnieszka Graff and Magda Staroszczyk alongside the cast of Spartacus. Love in the Time of the Plague dir. Jakub Skrzywanek
43rd Warsaw Theatre Meetings
Scenariusz i reżyseria: Magdalena Hueckel, Tomasz Śliwiński
Zdjęcia: Marek Gajczak
Scenografia: Magdalena Hueckel
Dźwięk: Michał Korzeniowski
Montaż: Aleksandra Idzikowska, Tomasz Śliwiński
Kierownictwo produkcji: Katarzyna Kuca
Producent: Waldemar Raźniak, Aneta Zagórska
Produkcja wykonawcza: Krakow Film Klaster
Produkcja: Narodowy Stary Teatr im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej w Krakowie
Reżyseria: Martyna Peszko
Zdjęcia: Magdalena Mosiewicz
Produkcja: Fundacja TEATR 21
Koprodukcja: Mazowiecki Instytut Kultury, Warszawski Fundusz Filmowy