Wojtek, a bear who went to war, is a well known figure to all Scotland-based Poles. Thanks to a phenomenal theatrical piece, “Wojtek, The Happy Warrior,” his story gets a new life.
Wojtek was a Syrian brown bear cub enlisted into the Polish Army Corp during WW2. Having fought along side them in Monte Cassino, Wojtek was relocated to Scotland after the war. This honored “soldier” died in Ediburgh Zoo in 1963. In 2015, a new theatrical piece by Glenn Tillin and Kitty Myers, founders of The Quarter Too Ensemble, retells his story to audiences of all nationalities and ages.
The idea to bring Wojtek’s story back to life was conceived by Kitty after she read an article about him in 2009. Intrigued, she discussed the possibility of creating a play about Wojtek with Glenn, her husband. It wasn’t until 2015, however, that an opportunity to stage the play arose. Glenn, a teacher at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in London, decided to run a piece on Wojtek as a development project for his students.
Besides telling the tale of Wojtek, it also skilfully presents Polish history to foreign audiences and is able to connect three generations of a family who were affected by the war. “We wanted to tell the story in a way that not only stayed true to the historical facts but also connected the audience emotionally to the chaos and brutality of war,” Kitty explains. “We felt that Wojtek’s vulnerability helped to highlight the overarching fragility of the Polish people during this moment in history.”
Thanks to a clever use of props, the piece presents historical facts in an approachable way. The live music and visually stunning slow motion scenes steal audience’s hearts. But perhaps most impressive part of the performance is the use of Polish.
Does the couple see a potential in presenting Wojtek’s story to ever new and growing audiences? “The response to the show in Edinburgh has been overwhelming!” says Kitty. She adds that they have had several requests to take the show on the road, so who knows? Perhaps Wojtek, the bear who went to war, will now become an ambassador of Polish history around the world.
WOJTEK: the Happy Warrior
Monday, 23rd November, 7.15pm
Ognisko Polskie
55 Princes Gate
South Kensington
London SW7 2PN
Ticket prices:
£15 Ognisko Polskie’s Members
£20 Early Bird
£35 General Admission
Price include:
Performance & glass of wine
RSVP:
Please make cheques payable to ARTS CLUB 55 and send to 55 Princes Gate, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2PN or book your tickets now via Eventbrite.
Photo © Sebastian Kuczyński
