Cellar Under the Rams – Piotr Skzynecki

Piotr Skrzynecki among audience members in the Cellar Under the Rams.
The genesis of the renowned Kraków cabaret is inextricably linked with the ideas of Krzysztof Zrałek (1933-2001). He was the Cellar’s first MC and directed the group’s hybrid lyrical and nonsensical performances, until he opted to focus on scenography (set design) and on directing theatre plays and films. His creative output, under the assumed surname of Pankiewicz, is impressive. The compere duties were taken over by the ever elegant Mariusz Chwedczuk, also a set designer in the making. But one day Chwedczuk, who in the long run felt like a fish out of water in the role of an MC, did not show up. It was a stalemate, as - despite sincere apologies and explanation - the audience demanded a regular show. At that moment, Piotr Skrzynecki was pushed on stage. Suffering from extreme stage fright, he blabbered and drivelled on. Unexpectedly, he ingratiated himself with the public. Initially, he was so shy that he was in constant need of assistance. He was accompanied by Barbara Nawratowicz, who held his hand as a gesture of support. For that reason, it is believed that he kept his signature bell close at hand. He rattled it passionately whenever he lost his composure. When the bell was nowhere to be seen, he banged a fork against a bottle or a tray. Before long, however, Skrzynecki tamed the stage and his performative acts, whether his bell ringing, his clumsy contortions or falling off stairs, were embraced and enjoyed by the audience.