Paprykarz szczeciński

Someone is calling. 
Someone is not answering. 
Someone has a birthday. 
Someone is going to the doctor. 
Someone is a doctor.
Someone is ill.
Someone has a due date.
Someone is being born.
Someone is past their due date.
Someone is dying.
Someone has been abducted by aliens.
Someone has hit their head and dreamed that they are human.

Paprykarz Szczecinski is a comedy about life and death, and what we have inside, under the aluminium lid.

CIGARETTES ARE LIT DURING THE PERFORMANCE. VULGAR LANGUAGE IS USED. LOUD MUSIC, FLASHING LIGHTS AND INTENSE LIGHTING EFFECTS ARE USED. 

directed by: Marcin Liber
text and songs: Michał Kmiecik
set design, costumes and lighting: Mirek Kaczmarek
choreography: HASHIMOTOWIKSA
music: Marcin Macuk
vocal coaching: Sandra Klara Januszewska
assistant director: Wojciech Sandach
stage manager: Jolanta Szadkowska

cast:
Julia Gadzina
Maria Dąbrowska
Magdalena Wrani-Stachowska
Maria Wójtowicz
Konrad Beta
Adam Kuzycz-Berezowski
Arkadiusz Buszko
Kacper Kujawa
Maciej Litkowski
Wojciech Sandach
Konrad Pawicki

premiere: 16th of May 2025

"It's a theatrical delight. Refreshing, even though it's canned. (...) Unfolding with steel-like consistency, the story begins with a seemingly insignificant accident — a blow to the head that sets off a chain of events, reflections, and absurd situations that intertwine in often unexpected ways. There is no shortage of fear of rejection and betrayal by a partner, professional frustration, and even sudden intervention by aliens. At the same time, all these elements are not chaotic — they remain in the peculiar order of the story, spun by the figure of a failed demiurge-author full of insecurities. It is a surreal theatre that operates with atmosphere, unusual form, absurd detail and subtle humour."
Witold Mrozek , Gazeta Wyborcza 

"Kmiecik's style is a pulp – in PAPRYKARZ SZCZECIŃSKI this is evident from the very beginning. Because what is the titular Szczecin fish product if not exactly a pulp, a processed version of a processed product? And yet – maybe it's a matter of taste, but what can I say – it's delicious. The performance touches on local identity: in Szczecin, at Łasztownia, there is even a monument to the iconic tin can. There are many more local flavours in the performance (...). Marcin Liber's directing style is spectacular on a large and medium scale – he is an ultra-talented, eclectic, skilled creator who, despite his long presence on the stage, is still able to surprise audiences. (...) The enthusiastic reaction of the audience to the Szczecin performance shows how much theatre needs air and fun. When, in the last scene, one of the actors asks from the stage: “So, did you like it?”, there is no uncertainty or need for approval in his voice. Rather, there is a certainty that this is the kind of theatre that needs to be done. Because it has to be done.”
Anna Pajęcka, Dwutygodnik 

Awards:

Michał Kmiecik receives the Aurora Award – Bydgoszcz City Drama Award for his play "Paprykarz szczeciński"