The Lion Man Warszawski

Warszawski Cyrk Magii i Ściemy

The Lion Man

A freak circus musical inspired by “Beauty and the Beast” and the biography of Stefan Bibrowski – the star of American freak shows of the early 20th century. The show broaches the subject of the price of fame and recognition. Does the freak have a right to love and be loved? Bibrowski, who suffered from a rare illness called hypertrichosis, was sold by his parents to the circus. His excessive hair and personal charm conquered the hearts of audiences in Europe and the USA. Referring to itinerant freak shows, the show talks about the longing for love of the circus artists: the lion man and a female clown who are terrorised and trained by the freak show’s owner. What are the costs of fame and recognition? Can you build a home in an increasingly restless world? Does the freak have the right to love and be loved? Together, let’s look for answers to these questions.

Script and direction Michał Walczak (playwright, director, the chairman of the foundation “Zakochana Warszawa”, author of award-winning plays for children and teenagers, the co-founder of the cabaret Pożar w Burdelu, Warszawski Cyrk Magii i Ściemy, Praski Teatr Lalek and Muzeum Nowych Legend i Baśni Warszawskich).

Cast Maciej Czarski, Antek Borodziuk, Jagoda Stanasiuk, Hanna Klepacka

Music Hanna Klepacka

Lyrics Michał Walczak, Anna Klepacka The show features the song Szmira with music by Michał Górczyński.

Contact +48 502342054 Michał Walczak snaporaz@wp.pl facebook.com/wcmis

40 min / no limits clowning, aerial, ground acrobatics, musical, comedy

“Watching the presentation of the work by Kolektyw Kejos, I felt like I was attending a real, live Shakespearean theatre that follows all the rules of the master (...) Kolektyw Kejos perfectly reflect the spirit of this theatre atmosphere from hundreds of years ago. We do not need to know anything beyond what we see.”

A. Bińczycka