"A person is not given the opportunity to say what they want, but rather what they must." – Henry
Witold Gombrowicz's “The Marriage" is much more than a traditional narrative; it is a profound reflection on everyday life and an extraordinary study of a man caught in dreams.
Gombrowicz invites the audience into a universe grappling with the trauma of the past and the efforts to build a new reality. The protagonist, Henryk, returns to a world he no longer recognizes, symbolizing a return to a reality struck by war, social, and political divisions.
The central theme of the work revolves around the question of whether it is possible to recreate values, relationships, and order in a post-conflict world. The driving force behind the action in “The Marriage" is the struggle for identity, dignity, and the establishment of a moral order.
Marriage, rather than being portrayed as a familiar symbol of union, transforms in this play into an attempt to forge a “contract” between characters embodying different expectations and visions for the future. Chaos, absurdity, and grotesque elements constantly challenge this order, emphasizing the difficulties of creating a stable identity in a world where traditional authorities have lost their power. In a reality where everything seems “fabricated and distorted,” where the funeral is more important than the deceased, appearance is more valued than thought, and marriage is higher than love.
“The Marriage" is regarded as one of the most important works of 20th-century Polish dramaturgy.
Author: Witold Gombrowicz
Adaptation & Direction: Norbert Rakowski
Starring:
Armend Smajli, Shkelzen Veseli, Ylber Bardhi, Mensur Safqiu, Sheqerie Buçqaj, Era Balaj, Adhurim Demi
Dramaturge: Zoga Çeta Çitaku
Assistant Director: Skender Podvorica
Composer: Tomor Kuçi
Set Designer: Maria Jankowska
Costume Designer: Paula Grocholska
Costume assistant: Alba Bytyçi
Light Design: Bogumil Palewicz
Video Artist: Wojciech Kapela
Technical Director: Rrezarta Shaqiri Basha
Photographer: Mrinë Godanca
Graphic Designer: Nita Qahili