National Stary Theatre

The Helena Modrzejewska National Stary Theater in Kraków (Polish: Narodowy Stary Teatr im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej) is one of the oldest public stages in Poland and a national institution of culture, first opened in 1781. It was named after renowned Shakespearean actress Helena Modrzejewska.

Helena Modrzejewska National Stary Theater
Narodowy Stary Teatr im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej
Theatre in Kraków Old Town District
AddressJagiellońska Street 5
Kraków
Poland
Construction
OpenedOctober 20, 1781 (1781-10-20)
Years active1781–present
Architect
  • Étienne Humbert (1781)
  • Karol Kremer, Tomasz Majewski (1841)
  • Tadeusz Stryjeński, Franciszek Mączyński (1903–1906)
Website
www.stary-teatr.pl

History

The theater was created by Feliks Oraczewski, a member of the Polish Parliament (Sejm), and the actor Mateusz Witkowski. On October 17, 1781 the Cracow city authorities gave Witkowski permission to perform comedy under the condition that he pay fifty Polish zloty a month to the municipal treasury.[1][2] In 1798, Jacek Kluszewski, the starosta of Brzeg, took over the theater and converted two of his own buildings the corner of Szczepański Square and Jagiellonian Street into its permanent home.

The theatre is regarded as Poland's leading theatre.[3] In 1997 Krystyna Meissner became the director. Her term here was difficult and the following year she left at the request of the actors.[3]

In 2016, the MICET Interactive Museum / Theater Education Center opened in the theater building's 13th century cellars.

References
  1. "History". Narodowy Stary Teatr im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  2. Bibliografia Literatury Polskiej – Nowy Korbut. IV. Warszawa: Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy. 1966. pp. 179–180.
  3. "Krystyna Meissner". Culture.pl. Retrieved 2020-12-30.


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