The “On First-Name Terms with Theatre” workshops began on Saturday, 19 February. They are led by actors from the William-Es National Theatre, based at Książ Castle. During the sessions, young theatre enthusiasts practise diction, learn about voice production, and study stage movement and text interpretation.
Maciej Knapik and Jakub Wędzina joined the workshops by chance. “I really like it here; I enjoy coming to these classes,” says Maciej. “There’s a really nice atmosphere here. You can have a good laugh, but also learn a lot,” Jakub adds.
“I signed up for these classes because I like theatre, singing and movement-based art. And I’m very happy that I ended up here,” says Ala Kołacz. “I like the études best—the moments when we have to improvise. Acting really excites me,” says Kamil Rościszewski. “The ‘On First-Name Terms with Theatre’ workshops mean great études, great people and a wonderful atmosphere,” sums up Justyna Szabłowska. “But what I like most is sitting by the warm MDK radiator and listening to music,” she adds with a smile.
“These young people have become very involved in our classes,” says Robert Delegiewicz, artistic director and co-founder of the William-Es National Theatre. “We regard running the workshops as a mission. This is how we understand theatrical art.”
As Delegiewicz points out, William-Es is one of the last bastions of classical theatre. “And it’s not only because we work with classical texts,” he explains. “In our performances, we also try, as far as possible, to convey the spirit of the times in which these texts were written or the times they describe. In Poland, there is a very strong trend towards modernising, and even deconstructing, classical works. In my view, adaptations of this kind verge on desecration.”
The workshops will conclude with the performance “Summoning Summer”, directed by Danuta Gołdon and Robert Delegiewicz. The performance will take place on Wednesday, 23 February, in the garden beside the Młodzieżowy Dom Kultury named after Stanisław Wyspiański (Grunwaldzka Street). It starts at 8:00 p.m.. Admission is free.
(GA report)
