Anna Smolar

Country: Poland
Teatr Powszechny Warsaw

Biography

French Polish theatre director, dramaturge and translator.

Graduate of literary studies at the University of Paris-Sorbonne.

Resident of the Nowy Teatr in Warsaw (2017-2019)

Curator of the season Tough love at Warsaw’s Komuna//Warszawa (2022).

Curator of the season Hosts at TR Warszawa (2023/2024).

Her most significant works are Hungry ghosts, based on a collective writing process with actors, was premiered in October 2022 in Munich with the Kammerspiele ensemble

The Jewish Actors, a mockumentary performance at the Jewish Theatre, The Dibbouk by An-Ski at Bydgoszcz, Cinderella, according to Joël Pommerat, and Halka, the most well-known polish opera, at the Cracow National Stary Teatr, The end of Eddy based on Edouard Louis’ book at Teatr Studio in Warsaw and The birds at Vilnius’ National Theatre

At Nowy Teatr in Warsaw she directed amongst others Henrietta Lacks and Erazm/Erasmus in the frame of Oliver Frljic’s Europe Ensemble’s project.

Awarded several times, Melodrama at the Teatr Powszechny in Warsaw is a deconstruction of the co-dependency mechanisms.

Her most recent works are Orpheus, a performance about grief and its political value, at TR Warszawa and a mini opera based on Antigone in Molenbeek by Stefan Hertmans at the Dramatyczny theatre in Warsaw.

In June 2025 she will present at the Malta Festival the Lonely woman, in coproduction with Teatr Powszechny.

In november 2025 she will have her debut at the Opera of Lille, with The spray of days, based on Boris Vian’s novel L’écume des jours.

Laureate of the Polityka Passport (2016)

Award at the Competition for the Exhibition of Polish Contemporary Art for

the « Dibbouk » (2016) Grand Prix at the Festival of Premieres in Bydgoszcz for the « Cowboys » (2018)

Award at the International Theatre Festival Divine Comedy for best directing – for « Melodrama » (2023)

The Melodrama

The Melodrama explores the complex dynamics of a codependent relationship through the lives of Kuba and Krystyna, inspired by Marek Hłasko’s Pętla. The show shifts focus from the usual melodramatic tropes of addiction and self-destructive genius to the often-overlooked “supporting character” — the co-addicted partner. It challenges the traditional roles imposed on women in relationships, where they are expected to bear the emotional burden and sacrifice for the family’s well-being. The production critiques outdated stereotypes, questioning the cult of romantic love and the societal pressures on both men and women. Through Krystyna’s journey, the play delves into the idea of the “Good Wife” and explores whether she can redefine care and independence on her own terms, privately and intimately. The performance aims to reflect on the emotional competencies required for mature, balanced relationships and the power dynamics at play in romantic partnerships.

direction – Anna Smolar

script – Anna Smolar

poems – Natalia Fiedorczuk

monologues and dialogues – Karolina Adamczyk, Michał Czachor, Anna Ilczuk, Andrzej Kłak, Anna Smolar, Julian Świeżewski

scenography and costumes – Anna Met

choreography – Karolina Kraczkowska

music – Enchanted Hunters (Magdalena Gajdzica, Małgorzata Penkalla)

lights – Monika Stolarska

director’s assistant – Marta Szlasa-Rokicka

set designer’s assistant – Zofia Ratasiewicz

stage manager – Zuzanna Rucińska

Cast: Karolina Adamczyk,  Michał Czachor, Anna Ilczuk, Andrzej Kłak, Karolina Kraczkowska (guest), Julian Świeżewski.