‘Close but Far, Human but Square, Normal but Exhausting’: Pandemic Theatre in Poland

The purpose of this article is to explore different ways countering the COVID-19 pandemic in Polish theatre that were not only attempts provide protection against potentially lethal coronavirus, but also actively combat other ‘viruses’: capitalist compulsion for productivity and exclusion Others (the disabled, elderly, women or LGBT+ people). Several artists lockdown era (participants Quarantine Project , Beyond #quarantine DIY 2020 Masterclasses members Theatre 21, Joanna Szczepkowska Wojtek Ziemilski) have managed draw attention a wider audience these problems. During pandemic, they practised art resistance various ways, including ‘art failure’ as neo-liberal systems. Therefore their projects can be seen dress rehearsal before emergence post-pandemic, post-capitalist, post-growth, more ethically conscious future.