Staging and adapting the works of Janusz Korczak in Polish theatre in the years 1931–2021

Abstract

The subject of the article is the history of the theatrical reception of Janusz Korczak's (Henryk Goldszmit) (1878 or 1879–1942) literary works in Polish theatre in 1931- 2021, from the premiere of the drama Senat szaleńców in 1931 at the Ateneum Theatre in Warsaw to the most recent productions. The author also includes adaptations of three of Korczak's novels for children: Król Maciuś Pierwszy, Król Maciuś na wyspie bezludnej (first printing - 1923) and Kajtuś czarodziej (oldest edition – 1935). The author writes about productions from dramatic and puppet theatres from various Polish cities, as well as about one ballet theatre, evoking staging, radio and television adaptations of Korczak's novels. It highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the parts of the staging, as well as the methods of promoting them. The reasons behind the low interest of theatre artists in the play The Senat szaleńców and the fact that they willingly adapt the writer's books for children are discussed. The research material used in the article is mainly sources – press publications, posters and theatrical photos, to a lesser extent memoirs, and in one case a radio recording. Scientific and popularizing studies, useful in the query and cited in the bibliography and footnotes, are publications on the biography of Janusz Korczak and the history of Polish theatre.