The Books of Jacob
Staging the most important novel by Polish Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk.
In the middle of the 18th century, in Podolia, Jacob Lejbowicz Frank proclaimed the new principles of the Jewish faith. For some, he was the revealed Messiah. Others saw him as a heretic and sectarian. The story of Frank, abundant with extraordinary adventures, reveals the image of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth – a country of many cultures and nationalities at the turn of the epochs. In it, we can also see a reflection of today's reality, with its threats and hope for a better project for the world.
direction, light design, video: Michał Zadara
stage adaptation: Barbara Wysocka, Michał Zadara
set design: Robert Rumas
costume design: Julia Kornacka
music: Justyna Skoczek, Michał Zadara
Cast
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Bartłomiej Bobrowski
Father Chmielowski, Shlomo, Emperor
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Anna Grycewicz
Haya, Princess of Lichtenstein
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Oskar Hamerski
Nahman
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Kinga Ilgner
Sobla, Maria Theresa
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Mirosław Konarowski
Leyb, Messiah-Antichrist, Dembowski, Bishop Soltyk, Prior, Nuntius
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Waldemar Kownacki
Elisha Shorr, Priest Szembek, Watchman Roch
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Piotr Kramer
Asher, Gershom, Captain
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Joanna Kwiatkowska-Zduń
Wittel, Sheyndel
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Anna Lobedan
Katarzyna Kossakowska, Gitla, Princess Kinsky
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Kacper Matula
Hrycko, Nussen, Thomas
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Kamil Mrożek
Reb Mordke, Rapaport, Kossakowski
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Jerzy Radziwiłowicz
Jacob Frank
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Justyna Skoczek
(musician, piano, guest performer)
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Henryk Simon
Jacob Frank
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Paulina Szostak
Hana, Sheyndel, Tekla
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Paweł Tołwiński
Baal Shem Tow, Pinkas, Kazimierz, Priest Pikulski
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Magdalena Warzecha
Cypa, Freyna, Eva Jezierzanska
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Ewa Bukała
Eva Frank, Elizabeth Druzbacka
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Barbara Wysocka
Yente (guest actor)
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Aleksandra Justa
Yente
and children:
Maja Amsterdamska – Pesel, Haskiel, Agata
Felicja Nizińska – Cyvka, Eva/Avacha
Antoni Bluszcz / Tymoteusz Czajka – Little Jacob Frank
Production team:
- director's assistants: Anna Grycewicz, Michał Świechowski
set design's assistant: Anna Maria Macugowska
costume designer's assistant: Martyna Cierpisz
stunt effects: Andrzej Słomiński - light technicians: Zbigniew Szulim, Bartłomiej Kaczalski, Krzysztof Łukasz Stefan
- sound technicians: Marek Szymański, Hubert Majewski, Mariusz Maszewski
- video projection: Mariusz Chałubek, Paweł Woźniak
- stage manager: Katarzyna Kłosowska-Kobiałka
prompter: Magdalena Markowska
Gallery:
Oskar Hamerski (Nahman), Anna Grycewicz (Haya), Kamil Mrożek (Moshek), Maja Amsterdamska (Haskiel), Bartłomiej Bobrowski (Moshe), Barbara Wysocka (Yente) and the Company. Phot. Krzysztof Bieliński