A theatre of artists

The theatre in Jezuicka never had its own permanent ensemble. It came into being at a time when troupes of actors, headed by a leader known as the antreprener and later the director, travelled around the country in search of the best venues to present their art and earn an income. The establishment of a permanent, all-seasons venue, and the increased cultural appetites of Lublin residents made the city an attractive location for itinerant performers. Extant records indicate that the finest ensembles performed here, and the repertoire measured up to the standards of Warsaw or Kraków stages.

Eminent actors-directors such as Karol Bauer, Kazimierz Skibiński, Kajetan Nowiński, Tomasz Chełchowski, Paweł Ratajewicz, Anastazy Trapszo, Maksymilian Kopystyński brought their ensembles to Lublin or formed ensembles specifically to perform here. Apart from the actors-directors, who played the major parts, the ensembles often included other renowned stage artists. A notable example is Stanisław Krzesiński, actor, playwright, and chronicler of the 19th-century Lublin theatre. The Jezuicka stage also saw guest performances from national and international stars.

Danuta Szaflarska opens the pantheon of The Old Theatre’s contemporary stars. At the festival named after Szaflarska, Danutka’s Gong is a prize awarded to outstanding film and theatre artists.