On March 21, terrorists are attacking the National Stary Theatre. This act of violence leads to decisions that will change the course of Polish history for good… Attack on the National Stary merges the intimacy of the testimonial, visual energy, and new technologies. It’s a journey through time, the thrilling pursuit of an alternative narrative about Poland and the world, a better vision of the future. All of this is captured as an epic tale of carving out a “new nation” from an individual and collective experience of damage and crime. The theme of Jakub Skrzywanek’s latest play is mourning, the emotions that come with it, and the role of the theatre and the traditional and new media in creating a tragedy’s story. Can we avoid transforming an event into collective trauma, can we break the mould of a tired and tormented Poland, captive to its past? Does art hold the power to release us from our national shortcomings and limitations? Can the premiere of Stanisław Wyspiański’s “Liberation” be salvaged, having been interrupted by the attack? The performance features artificial smoke, flashing lights and images, as well as strobe lighting. The performance addresses themes that may be difficult for individuals experiencing grief or PTSD. You can use the quiet space or borrow noise-canceling headphones, which are available at the cloakroom. Click here to access a file with detailed information about potentially sensitive content and sensory stimuli in the performance. Note: The description may contain spoilers about certain scenes.

Beginning during the intermission, the monthiversary – pardon! – anniversary ceremonies of the attack are an intriguing play on Polish martyrology and forms of mourning, with a clear backdrop of the Smolensk catastrophe and the death of John Paul II (…). We watch what has been destroying us for years: an argument about what really happened, casting responsibility for the deaths back and forth. This is a brilliant ensemble production, though it can be nasty – just like life in Poland.

Jacek Cieślak, “Rzeczpospolita”