ZAMEK Culture Centre

LA-MA is a stirring journey into the depths of the human psyche, a performance showing complex interpersonal relationships from the standpoint of caregiving, which may assume various, often harmful, forms. The title is an intriguing play on words, as it combines “la” (epitomizing lightness and song) and “ma” (which in this case connotes the mother and motherhood). This is because at the centre of the story is the figure of a mother whose overprotectiveness manifests in constant feeding—both literal and symbolic. It is an expression of love that, instead of giving a person freedom, enslaves and restricts them.

The performance also touches on the theme of homelessness, showing an individual deprived of even the most essential sense of safety. The plot of the performance moves to the unwelcoming interiors of a hospital and a nursing home—places of impersonal, institutional care.

The score, composed by Sambor Dudziński, is a compelling element of the play. The actors’ singing builds tension and highlights the emotions, creating an atmosphere that fluctuates between dreamlike moods and uneasiness. The frequently appearing choir is a voice of the community, a commentary on the events taking place, and a symbol of a particular experience: the need for security that comes from belonging to a community.

The authors of the performance—built around the personal accounts of the actors and actresses—sought to encourage the audience to reflect on the nature of true caregiving is and consider the line which divides love and possessiveness.

Teatrpod Fontanną is an informal theatre group that was established in CK ZAMEK in 2016. It is formed by members of theatre workshops operating at "Fountain Houses" - two centres run by the Association of People and Families for Mental Health "Zrozumieć i Pomóc" dealing with the social and professional rehabilitation of people after mental crises. The group has six performances that were very well received by critics and audiences.

 

The artistic supervisor of the group, the originator and director of all its performances is Janusz Stolarski - an actor, graduate of the Ludwik Solski State Theatre School in Krakow, known for his independent performances and repertoire stages and theatres in Poland and abroad. He is the winner of many awards for monodramas. For years he has been running theatre workshops in Poland and abroad (Germany, Romania, Moldova, Spain, France).

 

direction: Janusz Stolarski

script: Janusz Stolarski with actors and actresses
music: Sambor Dudziński

scenography: Tomasz Ryszczyński

video projections: Tomasz Jarosz

scenographic cooperation: Ewa Tetlak
lighting direction: Arkadiusz Kuczyński

Sound production: Piotr Kazimierz Wiśniewski
cast: Andrzej Nyczke, Jacek Kwiatkowski, Justyna Cofta, Jakub Hudak, Jan Janeczko, Ewa Zajkowska, Paweł Nyga, Beata Szymankowska, Justyna Romanowska, Hanna Kubaszewska, Piotr Bekasiak, Julia Sobczyńska, Halina Ertel, Magdalena Treichel, Tomasz Dzierżanowski, Agnieszka Grabia

PJM interpretation: Karina Akseńczuk
audiodescription: Marcin Głowiński

 

 

The performance was created at the ZAMEK Culture Centre in Poznań in a frame of Europe Beyond Access project thanks to a grant from the Creative Europe programme.

 

ACCESSIBILITY:

A performance combining text, music, songs and movement. Content translated live into Polish sign language;Performance presented with audio description;Suggested age: 15+; Duration: approx. 75 minutes; Tickets: 40 zł (n), 30 zł (r), 31 zł (two-person ticket for a disabled person with an assistant)
A person with a disability requiring assistance may purchase a reduced-price ticket at a price 1 PLN higher than listed one. This ticket grants them guaranteed admission with a companion. This ticket will be verified based on a declaration of disability. Viewers sit on an amphitheater-style auditorium (max. 200 seats). Seats are numbered; People with alternative motor skills and/or mobility problems will be able to enter the hall before the performance in the first place. Louder music appears in some scenes of the performance. In some scenes of the performance, the hall is dimly lit. Variable lighting appears in some scenes of the performance. How to get here?
The main entrance to ZAMEK Culture Centre is from Święty Marcin Street. There is a ramp and a lift. We can provide assistance to visually impaired visitors in navigating ZAMEK and reaching the building from the immediate vicinity. If you need this kind of assistance, please contact Anna Pawłowska: a.pawlowska@ckzamek.pl

 For people who like to know what to expect in a new place, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the pre-guide to CK ZAMEK and the list of toilets for people with mobility disabilities.

More information in the 'Accessibility' tab on our website: https://ckzamek.pl/podstrony/170-dostepnosc/

SIMPLE/PLAIN LANGUAGE:

The performance LA-MA is about relationships between people and emotions in a situation where one person cares for another. Sometimes such care becomes too intrusive and does more harm than good. The title combines two words. “La” means singing – “la, la, la”. Because there are a lot of songs in this performance. “Ma” suggests the word “mother”. The figure of the mother is often seen in the play—a mother is a person associated with love, warmth and safety. Sometimes, however, she is too protective, taking away her child’s freedom and restricting them. This is one of the things the actors and actresses talk about.

The music composed by Sambor Dudziński is an important element of the performance. The lyrics of the songs were written by the actors and actresses.

Teatr pod Fontanną is a theatre group who work and prepare performances at ZAMEK Culture Centre in Poznań. Its artistic supervisor is Janusz Stolarski, an actor and creator of performances. Teatr pod Fontanną has already put on many performances