Pooling its resources
Warsaw theatres are opening their stages in the strangest venues. Independent theatre group Montownia, which in its 10-year history has not had a permanent seat, is moving into a swimming pool. The famous Polish actress Krystyna Janda is launching a theatre in the old Polonia cinema, and a new theatre called Wytwórnia, founded by directors and actors from the G8 Group, has invited audiences to productions on the premises of Koneser, a vodka factory in Warsaw's Praga district.
"Warsaw does not need another traditional theatre, it has enough of them," say the producer at Montownia, Piotr Duda. "Our idea is to have a theatre space that could be individually adapted to the character of any venture. A swimming pool in the center of Warsaw perfectly responds to such needs."
Montownia's new location is a swimming pool located on ul. Konopnickiej 6, at the back of the Buffo theatre. It is a building that was raised in 1934 as a seat for the Polish branch of the YMCA. It was not damaged during the war, and in the 1940s was passed to the Polish Scouts' Association (ZHP). It is from the latter that Montownia leased the complex for 10 years. The swimming pool was closed last year, as it could not compete with modern pools.
The pool's architecture, with the bleachers along the pool, allows for an original arrangement of the stage and audience. At the same time, its infrastructure provides space for back-up facilities, such as a foyer, clubs, and cafes.
"The architectural adaptation of the complex is a great challenge. It enables us to connect original elements, creating a unique atmosphere for the place," says the architect responsible for the interior design, Paweł Grodzicki.
Montownia's new home's capacity will be put to the test in mid-December, when the team will present its version of Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen. "This is an ambitious repertoire, compliant with our vision of theatre," said Maciej Wierzbicki, an actor with the group. "We will be the first to present this spectacle on the basis of a new translation of Ibsen's work, that has been awaited in Poland for several years."
