Prus in the 21st-Century Theatre

Abstract

The article examines contemporary interpretations of Bolesław Prus’s prose in the context of the presence of his works on Polish theatre stages in the 21^st century. The analysis focuses on artistic strategies and dramaturgical and theatrical practices, as well as on the ways Prus’s writing is incorporated into contemporary culture. It also considers a broader cultural background, including the popularity of film adaptations and major theatrical productions of the 20^th century. The study outlines models of canonical and non-canonical readings, encompassing explorations of the visual potential of 19^th-century narrative, the expansion of generic and stylistic boundaries in stage adaptations, and the search for forms that engage in dialogue with the present. The phenomena discussed span a range of theatrical forms – from dramatic theatre to musical, operatic, and musical-theatre productions. A survey of the repertoire – dominated by The Doll and only occasionally featuring The Pharaoh and shorter epic works – illuminates the interpretative and adaptive strategies employed by contemporary theatre-makers engaging with Prus’s prose.