KrakowInformer.com

Krakow Theatres 

Krakow is widely acknowledged for its magnificent theaters and companies of players. And although the times of Helena Modrzejewska, the actress after whom the National Old Theater was named, and who became a leading female interpreter of Shakespeare on the American stages (despite her awful English, as some say), are long gone, Cracow still holds its ground with such directors as Andrzej Wajda or Krystian Lupa, or actors like Jerzy Stuhr or Krzysztof Globisz.

The city also hosts the Dedykacje Theatre Festival, Boska Komedia Theatre Festival and a Street Theater Festival, all bringing the best international international acts to Cracow. There are also a few theater schools, including the PWST – Higher State Theatre School – providing Poland with the best actors for over 60 years.

The repertoires are diversified, including everything from classic, Greek tragedies (often in interesting, modern interpretations) to modern theatre, and from classic acting to puppet shows.

The Krakow Theaters are usually closed in July and August, but some of them run open-air shows during the summer.

National Old Theater (Narodowy Stary Teatr)

The oldest and most famous of Krakow theatres, has been a league of its own for the over two hundred years of its existence. Among its actors and directors were (and are) some of the most known figures in Polish art, both when it comes to theaters and film making. Those include Anna Dymna, Gustaw Holoubek, Jerzy Stuhr, Krzysztof Globisz, Jan Peszek or Jezry Trela (actors) and Agnieszka Holland, Konrad Swiniarski, Jerzy Grzegorzecki, Tadeusz Kantor, Andrzej Wajda or Jerzy Grotowski. Its four playhouses present classic as well as modern repertoire, all linked by the theatre's high artistic standard.

Address: 1 Jagiellonska Street (The main building, booking office and three of the playhouses) and 21 Starowislna Street (Scena Kameralna) 

Juliusz Slowacki Theater (Teatr Juliusza Slowackiego)

The Old Theatre's local rival, perhaps a bit less renowned, but certainly a close match. It doesn't fear modern and seemingly more “popular” plays (like those based on Agatha Christie's novels), and still maintains a high standard. If not for the plays, it's worth visiting because of the magnificent fin de siècle building and the curtain painted by Henryk Siemiradzki. It also lends its main stage to the Krakow Opera.

Address: 1, 2 and 4 Sw. Ducha Square (Booking offices for the theater and the opera house) 

Bagatela Theater (Teatr Bagatela)

One of the most popular theaters, presenting more “popular” shows, including its greatest hits – Ray Cooney's Mayday and Mayday 2. But that's not all, it also stages plays by Ibsen, Beckett and adaptations of Dostoevsky's novels, so more serious repertoire is also present.

Address: 6 Karmelicka Street (Main building, main ticket office), 7 Sarego street (the Sarego stage)

Teatr Ludowy (People's Theater)

This one was established in 1955 in the district of Nowa Huta, and became, probably to the horror of the Communist authorities, the center of avant-garde art. Over the years it may have lost some of its glory, but it remains an interesting place. Also, one of its divisions is located in the dark cellars of the Town Hall – worth a visit for the atmosphere.

Address: 34 os. Teatralne (main building and ticket office); Town Hall Tower, Main Square (Stage under the Town Hall – Scena pod Ratuszem)

Groteska Theater (Teatr Groteska)

Usually associated with excellent puppet shows for children, it goes beyond that. Its Adult Stage (Scena dla dorosłych) is a place of avant-garde plays and tries to maintain the tradition of adult puppet theatre.

Address: 2 Skarbowa Street

STU Theater (Krakowski Teatr Scena STU)

Its crew became famous in the 1970s for their rebellious plays and performances, but it didn't have a permanent place of residence until 1997. From then on it stages some of the most renowned Polish and international plays, including The Possessed by Dostoevsky, Gombrowicz's Operetta, Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz's The Madman and the Nun or Beckett's Happy Days.

Address: 16-18 Aleja Krasinskiego Street

KTO Theatre (Teatr KTO)

Established by a group of Jagiellonian University graduates in the 1970s. It currently refers to the traditions of medieval theatres, organizing various street events and performances. One of the most interesting projects is I'll sell the house in which I can live no more, a mute play (therefore worth seeing even by those who don't speak Polish) based on the life of the Czech novelist Bohumil Hrabal.

Address: 8 Gzymsików Street

PWST Theater (Teatr PWST)

The theater of the Krakow Higher State Theatre School presents far more then just graduation plays. A must-see is The Double Bass, Patrick Suskind's play for one actor performed by Jerzy Stuhr, currently the rector of the PWST.

Address: 21 Straszewskiego Street