XVI MFG Iwona, księżniczka Burgunda - Teatr Powszechny im. Jana Kochanowskiego, Radom

The existing order is rotting, the monarchy is rotting, spoiling (most likely from excess, but that's not its only sin), even nature is dying out. And that's when Ivona appears - silent, incongruous, undefined....

During an obligatory stroll one national holiday, Prince Philip finds a discarded paper including the horoscope: ‘7 pm to 9 pm will bring a great expansion of vital forces and character, brilliant,

but risky ideas. This is the time for bold plans, big endeavours…’. These words mark the reality of Ivonne, Princess of Burgundia quite like the prophecy of the Macbeth witches. What could have been a farce grows and, almost imperceptibly, tends towards a tragedy. Ivonne is about to enter the stage – the dramatic developments can no longer be averted. Why? The existing order is fading away, the monarchy rots and spoils (most likely due to the surfeit, though this is not its only sin), even nature is muted. This state of affairs can no longer go on, a breakthrough is needed, although no-one realises it yet. What’s worse, it’s hard to say what it could be about. Ivonne emerges then – silent, not fitting, undefined… With enough strength (compared to the weak court), however, to uncover what is shameful and hidden. The barely sensed crisis becomes a fact. History, which likes repeating itself (‘it comes all around again’), prompts tried and tested solutions. The human condition has always returned to life following catastrophes and wars. These are the brief moments when we become better. Since no catastrophe happens to befall for the time being and war isn’t knocking on the kingdom's doors yet, an isolated death will do. That’s what the raison d’Etat requires.

Subsidized by funds from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Fund for Promotion of Culture and the Municipality of Radom.

The play takes part in the X Competition for the Staging of Old Works of Polish and European Literature “Classics Alive”.