Theatre of the new political. Performance of law by Michał Zadara

The chapter analyzes the process of emerging and defining the political in Polish
theatre of the last years. By discussing the most essential views on this matter,
performed by theatre scholars (Paweł Mościcki, Bartosz Frąckowiak, Tomasz
Plata) and theorists of critical art (Jacques Rancière, Nicolas Bourriaud, Chantal
Mouffe, Alain Badiou), the author tries to review previous observations and to
arrange them into a common conceptual grid. In refer to such organized framework
the new form of the political in Polish theatre – performances of law by Michał
Zadara are investigated: Sprawiedliwość (Justice) (2018) and Odpowiedzialność
(Responsibility) (2022). These two case studies provides an original break
against to the traditional theatrical frame by inviting scholars and lawyers to the
creative process and by redefining Brechtian V-effect in a conspicuous break with
fiction in order to expand an efficiency of art: by actual legal activity – preparing
real lawsuits, and by creating direct relation with the audience.