The Nutcracker

Based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann

What does “well-behaved” mean?
Uncle says that
Children must be well-behaved, but
I can’t wrap my head around it
And I don’t understand, and I don’t agree
With such worn-out slogans!
Because what does “well-behaved” mean?
“Well-behaved protest song”

Klara and Franek can’t wait for this year’s presents. From Uncle Krzyś, the family handyman, they receive a handmade castle full of hidden wonders. Things start to get complicated when it’s stormed by mice led by the Mouse Queen, and a long-forgotten legend comes to life. The mysterious Nutcracker is entangled in the whole affair. As we know, there will be twists and difficult questions. Klara and Franek try to find out what the word “well-behaved” actually means, since everyone keeps saying it to them. After all, well-behaved is milk soup!
The Nutcracker directed by Karolina Kowalczyk is a performance full of music and play with imagination about family, fun, and the path to magic that lies within ourselves.

Premiere: November 30, 2024

Creators

Adaptation and direction: Karolina Kowalczyk
Set design: Marta Kodeniec
Choreography: Szymon Michlewicz-Sowa
Lighting: Szymon Stęchły
Song lyrics: Aga Jun
Musical compositions: Michał Zdrzałek
Choreographer’s assistant: Kamila Biedrzycka

Cast

Łukasz Bzura
Małgorzata Krawczenko
Żaneta Małkowska
Piotr Pasek
Anna Sztuder-Mieszek
Ewa Wróblewska
Jagoda Zimała

Additional materials

PP_dziadek_do_orzechow_ekranyDownload the performance guide

Gallery

Three actors on a red theater stage surrounded by a richly decorated Christmas tree full of stuffed animals. Two people are wearing paper crowns and red plaid shirts, and the central figure raises a clenched fist.
Two actors in matching plaid pajamas crouch on a blue-lit, smoke-filled stage. They are surrounded by figures in large, grotesque mouse costumes with long snouts.
An actor in pajamas holding a teddy bear stands on a red stage next to a Christmas tree decorated with numerous mouse stuffed animals; around him are actors in fluffy mouse costumes with large ears and snouts.
An actress in a white top and skirt performs a dance routine with arms spread wide on a dark stage, with blurred, sparkling lights visible in the background on the right.
An actor sitting on the edge of a red bed on a theater stage, holding a small figurine; a lit Christmas tree with decorations is visible in the background.
An actor in plaid pajamas lies curled up on the stage floor, sleeping; in the background on the blue-lit stage, silhouettes of figures in mouse costumes and a Christmas tree are visible.
Three actors on a red bed; in the center sits a sad actress wearing a crown, surrounded by two people in plaid pajamas gently touching and comforting her.
Actors standing on a red stage around a large, hanging Nutcracker puppet in a green-and-red uniform and crown, gazing at it with wonder.
On a dark stage in blue light stands a figure with their back to the audience, wearing a flowing cape covered with numerous small mouse stuffed animals, casting a large shadow on the floor; other actors and a Christmas tree are visible in the background.
Black silhouettes of theater puppets on sticks depicting mouse characters, the Nutcracker, and a rocking horse, casting shadows on a solid red wall.
photos: Mateusz Dziworski

Trailer

trailer: Mateusz Dziworski

Poster

Colorful theater poster for the performance "The Nutcracker" divided into geometric panels in shades of pink, red, and green, depicting a castle, a mouse figure wearing a crown, a nutcracker figurine, and sweets.
poster: Ada Jarzębowska