Shakespearean Feast in Gdańsk: Three 'Hamlets' Compete

Polish theaters are presenting an unusual number of Shakespearean productions this season, with eight different "Hamlet" interpretations emerging across the country. The Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival will showcase three of these unique stagings in its competition, reflecting a significant resurgence of interest in the Bard's work.

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Shakespeare is not an indifferent repertoire choice. Theaters manifest their attitude towards classics both when they stage him and when they do not.

Festival director Agata Grenda noted that in previous years, Shakespearean plays were scarce, sometimes leading to the cancellation of competitions due to a lack of suitable entries. She observes that the current surge in interest, particularly in "Hamlet," may be a response to recent global events. Last year's festival featured comedies, possibly as an outlet for pandemic-related stress, while this season's focus on "Hamlet" could reflect the impact of the ongoing war.

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I hope – and have some reason to believe – that the current increase in interest in Shakespeare is also a result of our work, competitions, and the way we think about the festival and cooperation with artists.

The festival's theme, "In Praise of Madness," pays tribute to its late founder, Professor Jerzy Limon. Limon's passion and belief in the seemingly impossible led to the creation of the Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre. His vision was inspired by historical records of a 17th-century Fencing School in Gdańsk, where plays were performed during Shakespeare's lifetime. Limon successfully garnered support from political, cultural, and business leaders, including royal patronage from Prince Charles (now King Charles III) and fundraising efforts involving prominent figures like Laura Bush and Aleksandra Kwaśniewska.

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Without his faith in things that seemed impossible, there would be neither the festival nor the awareness of the residents that in 17th-century Gdańsk there was a Fencing School, where plays were staged and performances were organized during Shakespeare's lifetime.

Limon's legacy extends beyond the physical theater; he fostered an awareness among residents of Gdańsk's rich theatrical history. His enthusiasm for uncovering and reviving this heritage was infectious, inspiring a collaborative effort that brought the festival and the theater to fruition. The current abundance of "Hamlet" productions is seen as a testament to his enduring influence and the festival's role in shaping contemporary Polish theater.

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British Prince Charles, now king, patronized the undertaking. Laura Bush and Aleksandra Kwaśniewska, among others, were involved in raising funds for the theater's construction.