Contemporary Polish Theatre in Paris: Performative Readings and a Special Issue of “Théâtre/Public”

In January 2026, Paris will become a meeting place for new Polish drama. On 23 January, Plateaux Sauvages will host a forum featuring performative readings of plays by Malina Prześluga, Agnieszka Szpila, and Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk. At the same time, the latest issue of the quarterly “Théâtre/Public” (January–March 2026), devoted to the contemporary Polish theatre scene, will be released. Both projects are supported by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, which for many years has promoted Polish theatre in France and fostered artistic dialogue between the two countries.

A forum in Paris with performative readings of Polish plays – Malina Prześluga, Agnieszka Szpila, Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk

On 23 January 2026, a forum will be held at the Plateaux Sauvages centre in Paris (Grand Studio), bringing together a French audience, theatre students, and researchers of contemporary performance forms to focus on new Polish women playwrights. Participants will include Malina Prześluga, Agnieszka Szpila, and Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk, as well as their translators Agnieszka Zgieb and Cécile Bocianowski. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss current directions in Polish drama, its themes and languages, and its presence in the international theatrical circulation.

Performative readings as a tool for intercultural dialogue

As part of the event, students of the Theatre: Directing and Playwriting programme at the University of Paris Nanterre will present performative readings of excerpts from three contemporary Polish plays:

• “I Haven’t Sung for Anyone in a Long Time” by Malina Prześluga, translated by Agnieszka Zgieb;

• “Kobro / Strzemiński. A Fantastic Story” by Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk, translated by Agnieszka Zgieb;

• “Hexes” by Agnieszka Szpila, translated by Cécile Bocianowski.

The readings will be accompanied by discussions with specialists in contemporary drama, involving the authors, translators, and students. These meetings will serve as a starting point for reflection on the translation process, the reception of Polish dramatic texts in France, and the role of new narratives in European theatre.

The forum is organized by Maison Antoine Vitez and the University of Paris Nanterre in cooperation with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. The event will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The number of places is limited; advance reservation is required. More information is available at: www.maisonantoinevitez.com.

“Théâtre/Public” quarterly: “Scènes polonaises” – a special dossier on Polish theatre in French

Polish theatre will also be present in written form. The latest, 258th issue of the quarterly Théâtre/Public (January–March 2026), entitled Scènes polonaises, is devoted to the contemporary Polish theatre scene. This special issue of one of France’s most important theatre journals offers a broad reflection on the forms, practices, and narratives shaping theatre in Poland today. The authors attempt to describe the last 25 years of contemporary Polish theatre, drawing attention to the processes, disputes and visions shaping today's scene, as well as the context in which it is created. The issue was edited by Agnieszka Zgieb, a translator and promoter of Polish theatre in France.

This is only the second time in its history that “Théâtre/Public”, founded in 1974 in Paris by director Bernard Sobel, has devoted its attention to Polish theatre. Published quarterly, the journal is regarded as the most important French theatre periodical, both in the context of French and European theatre. Each issue focuses on a single theme – esthetic, social, or political – analyzed in relation to stage practice and contemporary theatrical life. It publishes essays, interviews, performance analyses, and documents concerning theatre life in France and around the world.

Essays, interviews, and analyses – Polish and French authors on the contemporary Polish theatre scene

The central part of the issue is the “Scènes polonaises” dossier, comprising texts, interviews, and analyses by Polish and French theatre practitioners and scholars. The articles present a diversity of aesthetics and artistic attitudes, current themes explored by artists, and the relationships, tensions, and transformations taking place on the Polish theatre scene.

The authors represent a range of perspectives – from artistic practice to critical and academic reflection. The issue is structured around the idea of dialogue between Polish and French theatre practitioners and theorists. Their voices create a multidimensional picture of Polish theatre as a space of intense dialogue, experimentation, and engagement. Contributors to “Théâtre/Public” no. 258 include: Michał Borczuch, Piotr Dobrowolski, Tomasz Domagała, Victor Inisan, Katarzyna Kalwat, Chloé Larmet, Katarzyna Renes, Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk, Bartosz Szydłowski, Olga Śmiechowicz, Michał Telega, Christophe Triau, Marcin Wierzchowski, Anna Wyrwik, Agnieszka Zgieb, Marta Zięba, and Wojtek Ziemilski.

Polish–French cooperation – international artistic dialogue

The “Scènes polonaises” issue constitutes an important voice in the international discussion on theatre, initiating dialogue between the artistic communities of Poland and France and highlighting the significance of the Polish theatre scene within the European cultural landscape. More information about the quarterly is available at: theatrepublic.fr. The partners of this publication are the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Renesart Foundation, the Theatre Institute, “Théâtre/Public”, and the University of Paris Nanterre.

We invite you to take part in this unique Polish-French theatrical encounter, which demonstrates the power of theatre in building mutual understanding and an international community.