How do you imagine Glasgow in the politically and socially turbulent 1990s? Protestants and Catholics, struggle and escape, anger and honour, or perhaps… love and empathy? What will young boys raised in seemingly incompatible environments choose? Director Krzysztof Zygucki and dramaturgist Eugenia Balakireva bring this poignant story of growing up in the shadow of violence and the coldness of poverty to the stage, inspired by Douglas Stuart’s acclaimed novel “Young Mungo” and the 16th-century gay pastoral idyll “The Beautiful Shepherd” by Jacques de Fontana. We are presented with a story about the conflict between masculinity and boyhood, violent patriarchy and emancipatory queerness. Is it worth fighting for a better world? And is it possible to fight… without fighting?

Krzysztof Zygucki, a young director making his debut at the Silesian Theatre, is the winner of the first edition of the WyspianKiss project – the production of the “Boys” is the main prize in a competition organised by the Silesian Theatre and the Academy of Theatre Arts in Krakow in 2024.