leonardcohenforum.com

I am sending the latest news from Teatr Stary in Lublin - "Today we invite you to the latest show produced by Old Theatre: "Boogie Street" based on the "Book of Longing" Leonard Cohen, translated by Daniel Wyszogrodzki. Starring Renata Przemyk and Wojciech Leonowicz. New arrangements of Cohen songs by Krzysztof Herdzin, directed by Iwona Jera".

REPERTUAR WRZESIEŃ - GRUDZIEŃ 2016
SEPTEMBER
24.09 / 19.00 „Boogie Street” Teatr Stary w Lublinie PREMIERA spektakl wg „Księgi tęsknoty” Leonarda Cohena
25.09 / 19.00 „Boogie Street” Teatr Stary w Lublinie
27.09 / 19.00 „Boogie Street” Teatr Stary w Lublinie
28.09 / 19.00 „Boogie Street” Teatr Stary w Lublinie
29.09 / 19.00 „Boogie Street” Teatr Stary w Lublinie
30.09 / 19.00 „Boogie Street” Teatr Stary w Lublinie

OCTOBER
1.10 / 19.00 „Boogie Street” Teatr Stary w Lublinie
2.10 / 19.00 „Boogie Street” Teatr Stary w Lublinie

BOOGIE STREET,
a play based on Leonard Cohen’s „Book of Longing” opened in Lublin, Poland


The idea of staging Leonard Cohen’s songs, poems and prose came from Daniel Wyszogrodzki, Polish translator of „Book of Longing”. He selected the material, including the twelve songs that appeared in the book. The text was given to two characters, the Poet and the Muse. Casted in the role of the Muse was Renata Przemyk, an alternative singer-songwriter who released several albums of original material. The Poet was played by Wojciech Leonowicz, an actor of Bagatela Theater and a professor of acting in Cracow’s Theatrical Academy. The couple was joined on stage by a group of live musicians and backing singers. The play was directed and designed by Iwona Jera, a Polish theatrical director based in Germany. All new arrangements were written by Krzysztof Herdzin, one of the most awarded composers and musicians in the country. The poster was designed by Rosław Szaybo, a living legend (and a former Artistic Director of CBS London), who designed a “Live Songs” cover back in 1973.

Saturday’s opening night ended with a standing ovation. BOOGIE STREET will be played in Teatr Stary this fall, coming back in February. The September run of the show is sold out and the public interest still growing. BOOGIE STREET enjoyed wide coverage by the media even before opening. The reviews should appear in local and national press in upcoming days, but judging by the reaction of the audience, the play is bound for success, as it shows Leonard Cohen’s work from many different and sometimes unknown angles. The balance of songs and spoken word seems just right, the variety of subjects gives a wide perspective on poet’s output. Music is more uplifting then the original recordings, it follows the energy of the show.

The play BOOGIE STREET was produced by Teatr Stary in Lublin, one of the oldest public theaters in Europe. This beautiful, historical venue seems to be a perfect location for presenting Leonard Cohen’s work in theatrical context. The general manager of the theater, Karolina Rozwód, says this production deserves to be shown in other Polish towns. Also, a recording of the cast album is considered.

Teatr Stary, 24th September 2016