Collection

Piasecki documented Miron Białoszewski’s theatre productions staged in Warsaw between 1955 and 1963, firstly on Tarczyńska Street, then after 1958 as the Osobny (‘Separate’) Theatre in Białoszewski’s flat on Dąbrowski Square. Białoszewski’s theatre was exceptional, pre-dating later experiments in non-traditional theatre. Tolerated by the authorities, it operated outside of the official “stateified” culture, and audiences were attracted by its unusual atmosphere. In his poetics, Białoszewski combined backstreet theatre with fairground aesthetics and a Greek chorus, and erudite references to historical drama, interpreted unorthodoxically. The action would develop around linguistic associations, puns, games with images, and sounds – Białoszewski would underline the musicality of the often ‘sprechgesang’ lines. His collusive treatment of text, characters, and poetic shortcuts fitted perfectly with the makeshift set design. The same props, such as everyday objects and kitchen utensils, would serve a variety of purposes or even replace actors, allowing the audience room for imagination.