“Germinal” is a cry of suffering, rage and revolt of the ones that were abandoned and the left behind. Like an echo of the revolutionaries of 1789, it reverberates in the mine corridors, a space-time capsule that becomes a resonance box for the voices of all the protesting oppressed, yesterday and today, here and elsewhere. It is a cry that goes beyond the 19th century and its all-powerful bourgeoisie to hit the 21st century, the apogee of capitalism, in which not only bodies are exploited, but even emotions have become market values. However, Stefan, the spirit of the New Man of the Revolution, a grain of sand in the cogs of the machine, spreads the virus of rebellion, making doubts sprout and consciences hatch.

“Germinal” is Krzysztof Garbaczewski’s second encounter with the Silesian Theatre. In 2020, the artist produced “BLACK,” a theatrical meditation in virtual space, together with the Dream Adoption Society collective. The director is a multiple laureate of the Divine Comedy International Theatre Festival and winner of the “Polityka” magazine Passport in the Theatre category.

REVIEWS

The latest premiere of the Silesian Theatre is surprising, but viewers familiar with Krzysztof Garbaczewski’s work could not expect a faithful adaptation of 19th century prose. One thing is certain - such a version of “Germinal” has never been seen before.

Magdalena Mikrut-Majeranek, teatrologia.info

“Germinal,” in this view, is an attempt to measure the pulse of reality, to show what this symbolic coal is for contemporary man caught up in the soulless machine of the new times.

Wojciech Lipowski, Śląsk

In addition to the set design, “Germinal” also shines with exquisite acting.

Kamil Pycia, teatralna-kicia.tumblr.co