Krzysztof Garbaczewski’s latest multimedia project makes use of VR technology. This quantum and Kabbalistic theatrical production simultaneously brings to life the story of Jakub Frank in six locations all around the globe—New York, Colombia, Poland, Ukraine, Georgia, and Greece. Jakub Frank, a mysterious 18th-century Jewish figure of mysterious origin, arrives in the Polish country amid unrest that is rising in Europe. Experiencing ecstatic visions, Frank captivates with his charisma. In a decade, he and his ardent followers travel in the Habsburg and Ottoman empires, convert to Islam and then Catholicism, facing heretical condemnation at one moment to be hailed as messiahs at the next. Actors perform on both physical stages in the countries above and on a digital stage in virtual reality, capturing a world on the brink of change. Among the many adaptations of Olga Tokarczuk’s flagship work, this one stands out most.

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Books of Jacob was developed in La MaMa and CultureHub's Experiments in Digital Storytelling Program

This performance has been made possible through generous support from Trust for Mutual Understanding

Co-presented by The Polish Cultural Institute NY

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Photos by Lívia Sá (courtesy of CultureHub)