The Marriage

In addition to the heroes known to us from Gombrowicz's drama, an additional character will appear in the performance directed by Zbigniew Lisowski - the Artist (i.e. Gombrowicz). He is the creator, creator of all events and characters and he almost stages "The Wedding" on stage. The Prologue was written for the performance, which is a compilation of texts by Witold Gombrowicz ("Letter to Ferdydurkists", "Dziennik" and "Ferdydurke") and at the same time a simple introduction to "The Wedding". The director explains the text of the drama as a philosophy of humanism in action, i.e. in a creative act. All events take place in the artist's head, and the action takes place in his studio, where he creates dolls, sculptures, paintings and prepares shows. The artist's figure is divided into his numerous alter ego: Henryk, whose alter ego we will see in the form of Drunkard and Władzia, and, consequently, of the Demon, representing a specific element of an interpersonal being and reflecting social relations. Therefore, the entire action depends on the Artist's vision.
The events unfold on two planes: everything begins in the present day, and then takes the heroes to historical times. We will go back to 1939, the beginning of the great social revolution that lasted until 1989. In addition to the historical plan, we can distinguish an internal plan - a journey through the world of Henry's thoughts. All the heroes of "The Wedding" are personified thoughts of Henryk. Each of the characters can be read through the prism of Freud and Jung's philosophy. "The Wedding" directed by Zbigniew Lisowski also emphasizes the importance of form and how it affects a person, but not in the sense of deconstruction, but in the form of evoking the expected reactions and moods in another human being.
The stage design refers to the work of Magdalena Abakanowicz, one of the most famous Polish sculptors. In the performance, in addition to a live set, we use dolls: hand puppets, marionettes and mupets. Some of them are modeled on the works of Francis Bacon.

Oneiric nature, pictoriality and distance build such an absurd whole in Zbigniew Lisowski's "The Wedding" that I would not be ashamed of it, as I think, by the imagination of Gombrowicz himself.
(...) There is no coincidence here! Director Zbigniew Lisowski (...) joined forces not only with the author and what he left behind, but also with Abakanowicz, Beksiński, Dali, Bacon, Hubička and Nazaruk. This select company has created a world that absorbs the viewer from the very beginning.
(...) With each successive scene, theatrical visions gain momentum and momentum. The "wedding" sparkles with artistic visions manifested both in the displayed graphics, scenography, costumes, used musical pieces (in remarkable interpretations!), Props and choreography. The characters dressed in costumes - blood patterns - operate with caricature masks and dolls. colorful figures, full of symbols, which in a moment become their sarcophagi. (...) There is such a form and mask from Gombrowicz in Toruń so much that this world pours out onto the audience and absorbs it completely.
(...) The Toruń staging of the drama of form is a dangerous dream world. It hurts, makes you think, intrigues and draws you.
Michalina Pietkiewicz, www.teatrdlawas.pl, June 27, 2015

(...) Zbigniew Lisowski, Pavel Hubicka, and Piotr Nazaruk are three artists for whom the area of ​​experimenting in puppet theater is an ideal zone for the implementation of outstanding plans, introducing original staging ideas. The "Wedding" show, like a focal point, brings together all their ideas, thinking and wise imagination. Even during the preparation, ideas are born that have a great chance to introduce puppet theater into the 21st century, especially with such an original and painterly imagination and precise direction of Zbigniew Lisowski.
Ilona Słojewska, www.teatrdlawas.pl, June 23, 2015

(...) It's a good show. Coherent despite different temperatures, worlds, languages ​​and voices. It is one of such performances that can change the theater - it can give its employees confidence that their skills have been used to the fullest. Baj's story, at least for a moment, will run in a completely new direction.
Grzegorz Giedrys, "Gazeta Wyborcza" - Toruń, June 26, 2015

"The Wedding" by Gombrowicz, directed by Zbigniew Lisowski, is a staging that many drama theaters in Toruń can envy. A performance not only beautiful and visually harmonious, but above all dense with intellectual messages. It sparkles with staging ideas and meaning meanders hidden beneath them. and a set masterpiece.
Anita Nowak, www.teatrdlawas.pl, June 8, 2015