In common with other European countries, the most frequent and most popular form of theatre in Poland is dramatic theatre, based on the existence of stable artistic companies. It is above all a theatre of directors, who decide on the form of its productions and the appearance of individual scenes. There is no strict division in Poland between theatre and film directors and actors, therefore many stage artists are known to theatre goers from films of Andrzej Wajda, for example: Wojciech Pszoniak, Daniel Olbrychski, Krystyna Janda, Jerzy Radziwiłowicz, and from films of Krzysztof Kieślowski, actors such as Jerzy Stuhr, Janusz Gajos and others.
Tadeusz Kantor (1915-1990) is renowned for his revolutionary theatrical performances in Poland and abroad.
The Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków is one of Poland's premier theatre venues.
The Grand Theatre in Warsaw is among the largest theatres in Europe with a seating capacity of over 2000.
Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz (1885-1939)
Andrzej Witold Wajda was a Polish film and theatre director. Recipient of an Honorary Oscar, the Palme d'Or, as well as Honorary Golden Lion and Honorary Golden Bear Awards, he was a prominent member of the "Polish Film School". He was known especially for his trilogy of war films consisting of A Generation (1955), Kanał (1957) and Ashes and Diamonds (1958).
Wajda in 1963
Andrzej Wajda (center), c. 1970
Wajda during filming in 1974
During the filming of Katyń in 2007