Join us at PLAYING WITH THEATRE, the Courtyard Theatre Festival in Poznań, 26–30 August 2026!
26–30 August 2026
Poznań University Library Courtyard 38 Ratajczaka Street, Poznań, Poland
We invite you to another edition of the Courtyard Theatre Festival – Playing with Theatre.
The organizers have prepared the following attractions for festival visitors:
– 4 children’s theatre performances
– 4 children’s workshops following the performances
– 5 theatre performances for audiences aged 12 and above, and 15 and above
– 4 accompanying events: Sensory Animation sessions for children aged 4+ and their parents
The festival aims to present theatre performances in unique outdoor spaces that are not traditionally associated with theatre, while creating a direct and intimate connection between performers and audiences.
All festival events are organised by the Stowarzyszenie Teatralne „Gra z Teatrem” (Playing with Theatre Theatre Association).
The full programme is available at:: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BuWo4JSqY/
FREE ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS!
This year, the Library Courtyard will host four performances:
- SATURDAY, 29 AUGUST 2026 / 12:00 PM 12:00
“THE ADVENTURES OF A DROP OF WATER” – WALNY THEATRE
Performance and workshop for children aged 3+
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE – Step Into the Story!
As soon as the show ends, join us for an open theatre workshop conducted by the artists and creators of the performance.
As soon as the show ends, join us for an open theatre workshop conducted by the artists and creators of the performance.
Duration of the performance: approximately 60 minutes.
FREE ADMISSION!
FREE ADMISSION!
Performed by:
Adam Walny
Adam Walny
About the performance
“The Adventures of a Drop of Water” by Maria Terlikowska is an entertaining story for young audiences, written in classical verse. It explores the fascinating phenomenon of water and shows how it changes its physical states, allowing it to travel from deep underground through rivers, seas, and homes, all the way to the clouds, before returning to the Earth once again.
The performance is created using the object theatre technique and takes the form of a laboratory lesson filled with extraordinary discoveries. Audiences will be amazed by the surprising possibilities of glass objects from the laboratory cabinet and water itself. Through the various stage activities, the performer also seeks to answer a profound question:
Where did life come from?
Recommended for children aged 3+.
“The Adventures of a Drop of Water” by Maria Terlikowska is an entertaining story for young audiences, written in classical verse. It explores the fascinating phenomenon of water and shows how it changes its physical states, allowing it to travel from deep underground through rivers, seas, and homes, all the way to the clouds, before returning to the Earth once again.
The performance is created using the object theatre technique and takes the form of a laboratory lesson filled with extraordinary discoveries. Audiences will be amazed by the surprising possibilities of glass objects from the laboratory cabinet and water itself. Through the various stage activities, the performer also seeks to answer a profound question:
Where did life come from?
Recommended for children aged 3+.
- SATURDAY, 29 AUGUST 2026 / 20:30 PM 20:30
“THREE QUARTERS TO DEATH” – KAROLINA MARTIN
“THREE QUARTERS TO DEATH” – Karolina Martin Performance for audiences aged 15+.
Post-show discussion with the artists
Post-show discussion with the artists
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE – Open Stage
As soon as the applause dies down, the stage is yours and the artists’. Join us for a conversation with the actors and director, moderated by Artur Kamiński, a cultural studies expert, actor, musician, and vocalist, who will make sure that no important question goes unanswered.
As soon as the applause dies down, the stage is yours and the artists’. Join us for a conversation with the actors and director, moderated by Artur Kamiński, a cultural studies expert, actor, musician, and vocalist, who will make sure that no important question goes unanswered.
Performance duration: approximately 60 minutes.
Suitable for audiences aged 13+.
FREE ADMISSION!
Suitable for audiences aged 13+.
FREE ADMISSION!
Creators:
Direction: Karolina Martin and Mateusz Smaczny
Text: Jerzy Machowski
Set Design: Marek Idzikowski (puppet: Karolina Martin)
Music: Paula Kowalczyk, Adam Milewski
Puppetry and Vocals: Zofia Straczycka, Magdalena Słowik
Lighting Design: Maciej Iwańczyk
Lighting Technician: Emil Lipski
Direction: Karolina Martin and Mateusz Smaczny
Text: Jerzy Machowski
Set Design: Marek Idzikowski (puppet: Karolina Martin)
Music: Paula Kowalczyk, Adam Milewski
Puppetry and Vocals: Zofia Straczycka, Magdalena Słowik
Lighting Design: Maciej Iwańczyk
Lighting Technician: Emil Lipski
About the show:
This puppet theatre performance for adults brings the character of Babuszka to life right before the audience’s eyes, as she enters into a dialogue with the actress. Viewers will witness puppetry and animation of the highest artistic calibre. As Monika Nawrocka-Leśnik wrote for kulturapoznan.pl: “What we see on stage resembles a dialogue between bodies controlled by a single mind.” Performed with live music, the production immerses the audience in the atmosphere of the Podlasie countryside, the homeland of the play’s heroine. This award-winning monodrama is inspired by stories from Supraśl, collected and edited by Wojciech Załęski in Hecz precz stała się rzecz, as well as by Weronika Gogola’s book Po trochu. Karolina Martin, recipient of the POLUNIMA Award for the Most Promising Young Puppet Actress, takes audiences on a journey that unfolds on the border between two worlds. It all began with Weronika’s great-grandmother, who carried Death across a river, thereby granting the women in her family extraordinary longevity. Yet this gift comes at a price. The heroine longs to bring her unnaturally long life to an end. Before she can do so, however, she must examine her conscience and confront her past once again, separating truth from superstition and fantasy. Is she burdened by a curse cast by wicked people? Or is she herself responsible for her misfortune? And will anyone come to her aid?
kulturapoznan.pl
kulturapoznan.pl
- Sunday, 30 August at 12:00 PM. 12:00
„WIKINGOWIE Z ULICY PÓŁNOCNEJ” – TEATR WARIATE
A theatre performance and workshop for children aged 4 and up
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
Jump into the Fairytale!
Right after the applause, we invite you to join an open theatre workshop led by the creators of the performance. This is a unique opportunity for children to step into the world of theatre, explore their imagination, and take part in creative activities inspired by the show.
Jump into the Fairytale!
Right after the applause, we invite you to join an open theatre workshop led by the creators of the performance. This is a unique opportunity for children to step into the world of theatre, explore their imagination, and take part in creative activities inspired by the show.
The performance lasts approximately 60 minutes.
FREE ADMISSION!
Featuring:
Sylwia Cyris and Marek Cyris
Sylwia Cyris and Marek Cyris
Creators:
Production: Teatr Wariate, Estrada Poznańska
Directed by: Sylwia and Marek Cyris
Written by: Malina Prześluga
Set Design: Zyta Paszkowska
Music: Michał Łaszewicz
Production: Teatr Wariate, Estrada Poznańska
Directed by: Sylwia and Marek Cyris
Written by: Malina Prześluga
Set Design: Zyta Paszkowska
Music: Michał Łaszewicz
About the Performance
Meet Victoria, known simply as Wiki, who happens to be a Viking! The young girl sets off on a wild and adventurous journey to the North. Her quest begins when Knut the troll entrusts her with a mission: to save an unknown boy from great danger.
Along the way, Wiki encounters Valkyries, Odin’s ravens, a shark, and even the mighty Kraken himself. Join us on a voyage into the world of Northern legends, where everyone will discover what it takes to become a fearless Viking.
About the Performance
This Teatr Wariate production, based on a play by Malina Prześluga, is inspired by stories and legends from the Nordic countries of Northern Europe. Young audiences will discover fascinating tales rooted in Norse culture and mythology.
Beyond its adventurous storyline, the performance carries several universal messages. It explores themes of loneliness and friendship, courage and perseverance in the face of challenges, and, ultimately, love. Through Wiki’s journey, children are encouraged to believe in themselves, support others, and never give up when obstacles arise.
- Sunday, 30 August at 20:30 PM. 20:30
“Guernica” – S.T. Plays with Theatre
A performance for audiences aged 14 and over.
After the performance, join the creators for a discussion and an open conversation about the production.
After the performance, join the creators for a discussion and an open conversation about the production.
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE – Open Stage
As soon as the applause dies down, the stage is yours and the artists’. Join us for a conversation with the actors and director, moderated by Artur Kamiński, a cultural studies expert, actor, musician, and vocalist, who will make sure that no important question goes unanswered.
As soon as the applause dies down, the stage is yours and the artists’. Join us for a conversation with the actors and director, moderated by Artur Kamiński, a cultural studies expert, actor, musician, and vocalist, who will make sure that no important question goes unanswered.
Performance duration: approximately 60 minutes.
Suitable for audiences aged 13+.
FREE ADMISSION!
Suitable for audiences aged 13+.
FREE ADMISSION!
Featuring:
Janusz Andrzejewski
Paweł Stachowczyk
Janusz Andrzejewski
Paweł Stachowczyk
Creators:
Written and Directed by: Paweł Stachowczyk
Set Design: Martyna Stachowczyk
Music: Daniel Sobczak
Animation: Paweł Stachowczyk
Lighting Design: Martyna Stachowczyk
Written and Directed by: Paweł Stachowczyk
Set Design: Martyna Stachowczyk
Music: Daniel Sobczak
Animation: Paweł Stachowczyk
Lighting Design: Martyna Stachowczyk
About the show:
The performance is inspired by The Mysterious Stranger, a work by Mark Twain.
“Human. One word. One problem.”
Guernica begins with a question about the moral sense: the ability to distinguish between good and evil, a trait that was meant to make human beings unique. But what is morality, really?
Two performers engage in an ironic and thought-provoking dialogue about humanity, faith, human nature, and history. Seemingly simple questions trigger a chain of associations that leads ever deeper, from everyday behaviour and religious beliefs, through stories of good and evil, to the history of violence that has accompanied the development of civilization.
Humanity has built successive civilizations, invented new tools, and developed ever more sophisticated ways of waging war. But does that really mean we are evolving? Does technological and civilizational progress necessarily translate into progress in our humanity?
Guernica, a city bombed in 1937, emerges as a tangible trace of this history. Not as a distant symbol, but as evidence that the mechanism of violence does not belong solely to the past. Numbers, dates, and historical facts collide with images of human suffering, and the question “What happened?” gradually transforms into “Has it really ended?”
Interweaving words, images, objects, movement, and performative action create a world where gravity blends with absurdity, and philosophical reflection meets the realities of human experience. The puppets and objects present on stage become part of this story, serving as material traces of humanity, its imagination, its violence, and its need to impose order on the world.
“Guernica” does not attempt to answer whether human beings are inherently good or evil. Instead, it examines how readily we are able to justify both.
It is a performance about humanity, a species that created the very concept of morality and yet still struggles to live by it.
FUNDED BY THE CITY OF POZNAŃ FROM ITS MUNICIPAL BUDGET AND BY THE MINISTER OF CULTURE and National Heritage THROUGH THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR CULTURE’S PROGRAMME: Culture Interventions 2026.
