Explore the theatre world through the prism of costumes and props, set designs and photographs from performances. The new exhibition in the Old Orangery recalls the plays of four famous playwrights – Sophocles, Molière, Racine and Shakespeare – which formed the theatre canon of King Stanisław August.
The exhibition takes a closer look at the interests in theatre and literary tastes of the last king of Poland, focusing on the stage works of Sophocles, Molière, Racine and Shakespeare. The fascination of Stanisław August with their work is expressed, among other things, by the original painting decoration of the Royal Theatre in the Old Orangery. Its author, Jan Bogumił Plersch, immortalised profile images of famous playwrights on the plafond. The Royal Theatre was – along with the Little Theatre and the Amphitheatre – one of three theatre stages in the Royal Łazienki.
The exhibition also shows how the works of Sophocles, Molière, Racine and Shakespeare, as well as the ancient dramatic legacy, have become part of the history of the Polish theatre.
Exhibits from the Theatre Museum are on display. Costumes and props, set designs, photographs and memorabilia from various eras bring to memory selected Polish productions of plays by prominent playwrights, including ‘Britannicus’, ‘The Imaginary Invalid’, ‘Phèdre’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘Oedipus Rex’, ‘Measure for Measure’ and ‘Richard III’.
The exhibition is organised by the Theatre Museum in collaboration with the Royal Łazienki. The event is part of the opening celebrations of the Amphitheatre following a comprehensive conservation renovation, which is back as a historic stage, the main venue for outdoor culture in the Royal Łazienki Park and one of the capital’s most important spaces for artistic events. The curators of the exhibition are Dr Joanna Szumańska, art historian, theatre scholar, director’s attorney for theatre affairs at the Royal Lazienki Museum; Monika Chudzikowska, manager of the Theatre Museum; Katarzyna Wodarska-Ogidel, curator of the Theatre Museum’s collection of drawings and prints and its collection of theatre memorabilia.
Opening times, admission
The exhibition is open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10.00 to 17.00, on Thursday and Friday from 10.00 to 18.00, on Saturday from 12.00-20.00, and on Sunday from 10.00 to 16.00. Last entry is 30 minutes before the exhibition closes. Admission with one combined ticket to the Museum buildings - check the prices of individual passes.
