Inspired by the classic French romantic ballet Giselle, Anna Obszańska combines the element of dance with the dramatic experience of the fantastic Teatr Współczesny ensemble in Szczecin. Herself, a strong new voice in directing, Obszańska in her work redefines stage movement, and does not shun from classic gags and cheeky humor.

In 2022, she became the undisputed winner at the Kraków Forum of Young Directing for her play Orpheus, a playful take on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Five aspiring dancers meet at a casting session for a fictional production of Giselle. They are a seasoned audition veteran, a famous manic-depressive choreographer, a disgruntled ballet master turned technician, his nemesis: the emotionally unstable first dancer, and a music, rhythm, and singing teacher clumsily filling in for someone who failed to show up and lik ely never will.

This piece of theatre blends dance with comedy and documentary, combining theatrical language with a tale of the beauty of pursuing goals and the costs that have to be incurred to achieve them. Using Maciej Podstawny’s text, Giselle, tańcz! / Dance, Giselle! endeavours to be an essay on overworking, the culture of excessive chore, and living in a hurry.

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Photos by Piotr Nykowski