Evidence for existence of the other

A drama built around the actual meetings between Witold Gombrowicz and Sławomir Mrożek in Italy and France in 1965 and 1966. A confrontation of two writers who shaped the shape of Polish literature in the 20th century. Two different attitudes to the world and ways of being. Gombrowicz was expansive, Mrożek valued privacy and avoided clashes. The first provoked, the second responded silently. Maciej Wojtyszko derived from documents universal situations and thoughts - concerning not only artists.

From press reviews:

We have an event. "Proof of the Existence of Another" is Maciej Wojtyszka's best performance in several years, and the performance of Jan Englert - Witold Gombrowicz is one of the actor's greatest achievements. (...) In this performance, perfectly composed visually and musically (the score of Piotr Moss), the erudite cadences of Wojtyszka's drama acquire meaning thanks to consummate acting. Man comes out of a specific form, the artist comes out of the roles imposed on him, and Mrożek's persistent silence is balanced with Gombra's eloquence. Jan Englert has not had such an ambiguous, meaningful role since "The Little Souls" directed by Grzegorzewski. His Gombrowicz is a conceited player, manipulator and schemer, and a graceful dandy. The ambiguity of this portrait was put in brackets of bitter irony. There are more creations: Cezary Kosiński as introverted, Mrożek fascinated with Gombrowicz; nebulously undefined, deeper than we first suspected, Rita Gombrowicz interpreted by Kamilla Baar. We will remember about the "Proof of the Second Existence" for years.
Łukasz Maciejewski, "Wprost", no. 13, March 24, 2014

(...) When writing his "Dowód ...", Maciej Wojtyszko relied on source materials, but he used - which should be emphasized - his own fantasy. This is how the story of the meeting of two great personalities was created. (...) The greatest asset of the performance is the creation of Jan Englert as Witold Gombrowicz. This role is delightful, intriguing and moving at the same time. In this performance, he is the absolute lord and ruler. Demiurge, who arranges the world according to his own taste, creates all events like Chamberlain and King Ignatius in "Iwona". Like a director, he dictates each role to be played in front of him. Jan Englert, reflecting the greatness of Gombrowicz, gives her a sweet admixture of narcissism and self-mockery. And at the same time, it is deeply moving when it talks about the artist's loneliness, the feeling of death and the inevitability of leaving. We rarely see Gombrowicz so sincere and helpless.
Jan Bończa-Szabłowski, "Rzeczpospolita", No. 75, March 31, 2014

(...) "Proof of the existence of the other" is a meeting between the master and the master, shown from an interesting perspective and distance, which allows the viewer to play with his own imagination. Actively, this show defends itself. In combination with the piercing music of Piotr Moss and sparing stage design Paweł Dobrzycki, "Proof of the Existence of Another" becomes an engaging spectacle of a true, noble word and deep, wise creations.
Katarzyna Hanna Binkiewicz, krykat.wordpress.com, 1.04.2014

photo by Andrzej Wencel