Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute, Warsaw
Polish puppet theatre evolved through figures like Jurkowski and Serafinowicz, blending theory, design, and education with rich techniques and international influences.
The Devil (2025) by Przemysław PypećENICPA. European Network of Information Centres for the Performing Arts
Henryk Jurkowski’s Puppet Legacy
Henryk Jurkowski (1927–2016), a Polish historian, theatre critic, and expert in puppet theatre, served in the Ministry of Culture, taught in Wrocław and Białystok, and authored folk-inspired puppet plays such as The Old Polish Triptych and The Polish Folk Nativity Scene.
The Don Juan Puppet
Designed by Leokadia Serafinowicz, this Don Juan puppet was featured in What Will Grow Out of This?. The production merged classic literary fragments of Faust, Don Juan, and Don Quixote with contemporary texts on parenthood.
The Don Quixote Puppet
Created for the 1988 production What Will Grow Out of This?, this Don Quixote puppet by Leokadia Serafinowicz wore printed paper. The choice of material highlighted themes of theatrical artificiality and alienation.
Man from Enchanted World Theatre
The Enchanted World Theatre, founded in 1950 by Janina Awgulowa to introduce children to theatre, was led by Emilia Betlejewska from 1990 until its closure in 2019.
Merchant from Tuba Dei and Angels, Enchanted Theatre
Tuba Dei and Angels (2016), the first Polish puppet opera for children, premiered at the Enchanted World Theatre in Toruń, featuring student performers and puppets by Urszula Łapot, with music by Magdalena Cynk and a story set in 15th-century Renaissance Toruń.
Miss Bunny: A New Era for Young Audiences
Leokadia Serafinowicz (1915–2007) revolutionized Polish children’s theatre with imaginative puppetry and innovative staging. Rejecting traditional formulas, she treated young audiences with deep respect, collaborating with educators to engage children as active, valued partners.
The Sicilian Paladin
This Sicilian Paladin puppet, featuring unique animated joints, comes from the personal archive of Henryk Jurkowski.Jurkowski traveled the globe researching puppetry traditions and collecting exceptional pieces that defined the craft.
Ponny and the Marcinek Theatre
For 20 years, Leokadia Serafinowicz led the Poznań Puppet and Actor Theatre Marcinek. She shaped a bold repertoire that tackled contemporary issues through innovative design, fostering critical thinking and nurturing future audiences for modern theatre.
Aladdin's Princess
Designed by Emilia Betlejewska for Aladdin's Wonderful Lamp, this Arabian Princess puppet showcases intricate engineering. A central peg allows independent movement of her head and arms, while delicate wire hoists control her hands for complex, lifelike animation.
Woman (2025) by Przemysław PypećENICPA. European Network of Information Centres for the Performing Arts
Artistry of the Rod Puppet
Leokadia Serafinowicz mastered the complex rod puppet technique. Through precise wrist and head movements, she brought each puppet’s gaze and body to life with deep psychological understanding.
This collection of annotations highlights the contributions of influential figures like Henryk Jurkowski and Leokadia Serafinowicz to the evolution of Polish puppet theatre—through critical theory, performance, innovation in design, and educational outreach—while showcasing notable productions, puppetry techniques, and international influences that shaped this unique theatrical art form.
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