The Sławomir Ratajski Acting Studio has been operating continuously for three years. During this time, the young theatre enthusiasts, under the guidance of their mentor, have managed, among other things, to prepare six theatre productions, presented on the stages of the Old Theatre, Forum cinema and Grodziec Castle. One of the performances that premiered at Grodziec is “Woman and Man, or On the Birth of the Spirit”. The performance was created in 2011, and on 25 May this year it returned in a new, changed form under the auspices of the Youth Cultural Centre.
Sławomir Ratajski takes us into a world ruled by Huk – the ruler of theatre. Before our eyes, Huk (played by Dagmara Kałkus) creates and brings his puppets to life, pulling their strings. Suddenly, however, it turns out that not everything can be controlled, and that emotions exist powerful enough to break the constricting bonds and allow the puppets to act according to their own will. What will happen next? Those who did not see it can only regret it...
“Woman and Man” is above all a wealth and variety of form. The performance is based on pantomime techniques, but it also includes elements of dance, choreographed by Elżbieta Andrusieczko-Tor. The nature of the puppet characters and the strings presented an additional challenge for the actors. The roles of Woman and Man were played by Karolina Jankiewicz and Daniel Maksymów.
The hand-sewn and painted set design and costumes also deserve attention – together, everything looked beautiful in the dynamically directed spotlight; Mateusz Makówka was responsible for the technical side of the performance. “Woman and Man” is therefore a feast not only for the Spirit, but also for the eyes. The performance – from the initial idea, through the creation of the set design, to the refinement of the smallest details – is the work of Sławomir Ratajski, who created a coherent, though completely unreal and otherworldly, world in which there is room for love, longing and oblivion.
“Woman and Man” is a title worthy of remembrance among the other, including professional, productions offered by the Old Theatre. Although the choice is extensive, the Acting Studio’s performance carries particular values: true, sincere emotions that the creators wish to share with the audience, as well as commitment, diligence and attention to the quality of the work.
(information: MDK Bolesławiec/ii)