1830–1831
Not all the many events the building in Jezuicka saw over the 19th century can be reconstructed in detail. We do, however, know that a “battle” of theatres took place here during the November uprising. The ensembles of Kajetan Nowiński and Tomasz A. Chełchowski tried to outbid each other with patriotic performances, “staking out” a claim to what was the only proper stage in the city. Stanisław Krzesiński noted down the following:
Permitting Nowiński to perform, the authorities overlooked they had approved Chełkowski’s playbill for the very same day. The two playbills posted side by side drew attention. One announced Orzeł biały, czyli Powstanie Polaków [The White Eagle, or the Uprising of Poles], the other Mogiła Kościuszki, czyli Polska Powstająca [Kościuszko’s Grave, or Poland Rising Up]. Uproar! Outrage! We had legitimate possession of the premises, having obtained the keys from the owner, and Chełkowski could not enter without our permission […]. He therefore performed on Tuesday, having forced his way in, for neither the owner, nor ourselves, made the keys available to him.
