Krystian Lupa was to stage a performance based on the novel by WG Sebald in Geneva at the Comédie de Genève, the premiere of which was scheduled for the first half of June. The show had a budget of $930,000. francs (approx. PLN 4.3 million), which is the result of cooperation with, among others festival in Avignon, Paris Odeon and Triennale di Milano. However, at the last minute it was decided to cancel the premiere.
Scandal with Krystian Lupa from the inside: Work in stress, fear and tears in the eyes
A special announcement in connection with the cancellation of the premiere was issued by the management of the Comédie de Genève, where the performance was to be staged. We can read in it that the reasons for this decision were: “differences in the philosophy of work between the artistic direction of the project on the one hand and the general management and permanent and temporary teams on the other” and “difficulties in communication”.
Teresa Węgrzyn from “” decided to describe how working with Krystian Lupa looked like behind the scenes. It turns out that the respected director together with the actor and costume designer Piotr Skiba shouted and used curse words at the translator Agnieszka Zgieb:
Technical staff, journalists as well as theater director Denis Maillefer were shocked by this act of violence. The shaken Agnieszka Zgieb left the theater and did not show up at work the next day – we read.
You can read the whole article about it in “Gazeta Wyborcza”. Finally, an agreement was to be reached between the translator and the director, which resulted in Agnieszka Zgieb translating Krystian Lupa’s statement for the Liberation newspaper. In it, the director emphasizes that the whole fuss is about “two incidents” for which he apologizes. Moreover, it indicates a lack of willingness to “negotiate” and “discuss” the matter. However, he does not hide the surprise of the whole situation and believes that the fault is not only on his side
The technical team considered what had happened to be a violation of the working standards to which they were accustomed. I think that by inviting a foreign director, the theater also invites his working style, to which the crews should at least try to adapt. Possible contradictions can always be negotiated or discussed. However, no such attempt has been made. The first step was the solidarity rebellion, which completely surprised me and which I still do not understand – says Krystian Lupa
A team of technicians from the Geneva theater also talks about the whole situation from their perspective. The published statement has eight pages and we can read in it about “the overwhelming atmosphere, humiliation and unpleasant epithets that prevented cooperation” and “work under stress and fear, with tears in the eyes”. “We were accompanied by terror, which we have never experienced before in our profession” – they point out.
“Currently, the theatrical environment is getting ready to attack”
They also talk about the shocking “drunk games” of the Polish team, as well as the work of Piotr Skiba under the influence of alcohol and his taunts. At the end of the publication, its authors ask: “Is art still to be a machine to destroy the people who co-create it?”. In the context of Poland, they add that “if so far no one has had the courage to stand up to Krystian Lupa, now the theater community is preparing to attack”.
Krystian Lupa is one of the most respected Polish directors in the world. In recent years, he has staged performances such as “The Trial”, “Capri – the island of fugitives” and “Imagine”. He also conducts classes at the PWST (now AST) in Kraków, which made him a great influence on generations of Polish directors. His performances are often staged on the most important stages around the world.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
