To Hell with All of You…

The pre-DP2 classes, under the guidance of Natalia Sołtysik, prepared a staged reading of Gabriela Zapolska’s play titled “Mrs. Dulska’s Morality.” The Dulska family is not likable. To her children—Hesia, Mela, and Zbyszko—Mrs. Dulska is “Mom,” who ruthlessly runs her family system. Only the interests of her loved ones matter; others exist solely to satisfy the family’s needs. Hanka, the Dulska family’s maid, not only helps with daily chores but also assists in keeping her son under his mother’s control. Zbyszko is having an affair with Hanka and wants to marry her, but ultimately takes part in the family’s decision to expel Hanka—who is pregnant with his child—from their home with the help of a relative, Mrs. Juliasiewicz. Felicjan Dulski remains silent and goes to the office. All he can manage to say is, “To hell with all of you!” The only character who does not fit the family’s image is Mela—sensitive, compassionate, and a believer in the power of love—whose pursuit of ethical conduct has no chance of being realized within her family. Hanka is supported by her godmother, Mrs. Tadrach, who manages to secure a thousand crowns for her goddaughter, who has been fired from her job. The entire story is told for Hanka and Zbyszek’s son, who is now an adult.

Although Hanka’s drama is set in a world from a century ago, the family relationships and attitudes toward life depicted are thoroughly universal. Thanks to the actors’ outstanding performances, the audience was able to experience Hanka’s difficult moments as she was at the mercy of her deceitful employer, be moved by Mela’s concern, and be appalled by the opportunistic behavior of the father and son. The large audience thanked the creative team with thunderous applause.

(text: Beata Ciacek tanslated with DeepL.com; photos: Beata Ciacek)