The "Amber Ring" Theatre Poll. Paprykarz and the Beast

Voting is underway for this year's edition of the "Amber Ring" theatre poll, which has been organized by the "Kurier Szczeciński" for over forty years. We're waiting for our readers' votes for the best performance or the most interesting male or female role.

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We invite you to cast your votes in two categories: Best Performance and Best Actress/Best Actor. Voting is open to performances that premiered in the 2024/2025 theater season and received nominations from the "Amber Ring" jury.

See the nominees

Three of the performances on the nominee lists in both categories can be seen in West Pomeranian theatres in the coming days.

"Paprykarz Szczeciński," directed by Marcin Liber, will be performed this weekend on the main stage of the Contemporary Theatre. The nominated performance, along with the nominated actors Julia Gadzina and Kacper Kujawa, can be seen from Friday to Sunday (October 24-26 at 7 p.m.). This play is full of surprise and surprise, visually appealing, innovative, and funny, while also addressing timeless and important issues. "Paprykarz" evokes the identity of the city where this particular canned fish dish originated. It becomes a pretext for presenting contemporary issues in interpersonal relationships, such as attachment, rejection, betrayal, frustration, creative block, and even the activity of aliens.

"Boeing, Boeing," directed by Jan Tomaszewicz, can be seen on Saturday, October 25th at 7:00 PM at the Juliusz Słowacki Baltic Dramatic Theatre. This performance earned Jerzy Dowgiałło an acting nomination for his role as the protagonist, Maks. It follows a man who lives his life with three women, none of whom knows about the others. Maks is a master planner and an expert in international airline schedules; all three women are flight attendants and spend most of their time in the air. He is able to perfectly coordinate the visits of his fiancés until – due to schedule changes – all three flight attendants "land" at Maks's apartment simultaneously. In this situation, full of twists and turns, further problems arise, and confusion escalates.

"Beauty and the Beast," directed by Paweł Paszt, will be presented at the Pleciuga Puppet Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday (October 29-30, twice at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.). The performance received three nominations: Best Performance and Best Actress – Marta Łągiewka for her role as Belle, and Best Actor – Krzysztof Tarasiuk for his role as the Beast. This is one of the versions of Beauty and the Beast that allows us to see the true beauty in others, which may not be apparent at first glance. Not everything that is beautiful is good. The play is also a coming-of-age story, a journey that leads every child to independence. Belle, the main character of the fairy tale, loves her father and is willing to give her life for him. She doesn't want to be separated from him, doesn't want to live without him. However, when she discovers the Beast's kind soul, his tender and sensitive heart beneath the surface of ugliness, she grows up. The performance was created using large puppet animation led by several actors, achieving a high degree of illusion. The project's creator utilizes traditional forms, including the Japanese bunraku technique.

How to vote?

In the Best Actress/Best Actor categories, votes should be awarded to nominated artists for their roles in the specified performances. Each entry has a corresponding number, which must be entered when voting via text message – one vote per text message, sent to 7248 (the cost of one message is PLN 2.46 including VAT). Alternatively, when voting using the coupon published in "Kurier Szczeciński," one entry from each of the two categories must be entered.

The competition is held in two stages. In the current edition, voting in the first stage includes 20 of the best plays from West Pomeranian theatres and 21 of the most interesting acting roles (the number of acting nominations has been expanded due to a tie in the jury's vote). The first stage will conclude by November 4th. The plays and artists with the highest number of votes will then advance to the second stage – 10 proposals in both categories. Voting in the final stage of the competition will last until November 25th.

Tradition and innovation

The "Amber Ring" plebiscite is the oldest theatre competition in Western Pomerania. It has been organized by the "Kurier Szczeciński" daily since 1965, with breaks due to socio-historical events in the region. Traditionally, the best performances and acting roles are voted on by both readers and jurors. This year's edition features a major change: in addition to the Amber Ring statuettes, the winning actors will also receive cash prizes of PLN 5,000 each, funded by Calbud. As last year, the winner of the Silver Spur award for the most promising newcomer will receive a voucher for a weekend stay at the seaside Hotel Unitral SPA in Mielno.

The "Amber Ring" Audience Awards will be presented by a vote of the readers of "Kurier Szczeciński," while the jury awards will traditionally be presented by a jury composed of: Daniel Źródlewski (chairman), Radosław Bruch, Małgorzata Frymus, Jacek Gałkowski, Anna Kosiorowska, Elżbieta Kubera, Piotr Michałowski, Aleksandra Skiba, and Małgorzata Stoltman. It should be noted that during the discussion, due to concerns raised in previous years, the jury selected ten institutions whose theatrical proposals will be evaluated. However, the members of the "Amber Ring" jury assure us that they will closely monitor all theatrical developments on the stages of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

We encourage you to vote for the performances and the actors and actresses who created unforgettable performances. The winner of this year's "Amber Rings" statuettes, awarded through voting, is entirely up to readers and viewers. The results of your votes will be announced on December 1st during the awards ceremony. ©℗

Elizabeth Kubera

NOMINATIONS FOR BEST ACTRESS/BEST ACTOR

Olga Adamska for the title role in the play "Elizabeth Costello" directed by Aleksandra Bielewicz on the stage of the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.1

Piotr Biernat for the role of Prospero in the play "After the Storm" directed by Michał Telega at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – Amber.2

Bibianna Chimiak for her performance in the play "AUTOterapia" directed by Mateusz Przyłęcki at the Kana Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.3

Dorota Chrulska as She in a relationship in the play "A Short Distance Relationship" directed by Dorota Chrulska and Sławomir Kołakowski prepared by Adduna Beata Buchner and the 13 Muz Cultural Center – Amber.4

Jerzy Dowgiałło for the role of Maks in the play "Boening, Boening" directed by Jan Tomaszewicz at the Juliusz Słowacki Baltic Dramatic Theatre in Koszalin – AMBER.5

Julia Gadzina for the roles of Paprykarz 2 in the play "Paprykarz szczeciński" directed by Marcin Libera and Sportswoman in the play "Surferzy" directed by Bartłomiej Juszczak and Marcel Osowicki at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.6

Michał Janicki for his portrayal of Ernst Lubitsch in "Polit" directed by Janusz Józefowicz and Erhard SS Gruppenführer in the play "Poland is not yet lost... as long as we laugh" directed by Marek Gierszał at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.7

Anna Januszewska for the role of Maryla in "The Restless Old People's Home" directed by Michał Buszewicz at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.8

Aleks Joński for the role of Oskar in the play "Oskar and the Things" directed by Robert Drobniuch at the Pleciuga Puppet Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.9

Kacper Kujawa for the roles of: Tadeusz Miller in the play "King of Tango" directed by Arkadiusz Buszka at the Lentz Villa in Szczecin, Paprykarz 1 and Przemek in "Paprykarz szczeciński" directed by Marcin Libera and Młody in "Surfery" at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.10

Sławomir Kołakowski as Him in a relationship in the play "A Short Distance Relationship" directed by Dorota Chrulska and Sławomir Kołakowski prepared by Adduna Beata Buchner and the 13 Muz Culture Center – Amber.11

Marta Łągiewka for the role of Belle in the play "Beauty and the Beast" directed by Paweł Paszt at the Pleciuga Puppet Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.12

Joanna Matuszak for her role in Joanna's performance "Miracle Therapy" directed by Arkadiusz Buszka at the Krypta Theatre in the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin – AMBER.13

Dariusz Mikuła for his performance in the play "AUTOterapia" directed by Mateusz Przyłęcki at the Kana Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.14

Jacek Piątkowski for the role of Julek in "The Restless Old People's Home" directed by Michał Buszewicz at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.15

Sylwia Różycka for the role of Pola Negri in "Polita" directed by Janusz Józefowicz at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.16

Damian Sienkiewicz for the role of Gonzalo in the play "After the Storm" directed by Michał Telega at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – Amber.17

Krzysztof Tarasiuk for the role of the Beast in the play "Beauty and the Beast" directed by Paweł Paszt at the Pleciuga Puppet Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.18

Katarzyna Ulicka-Pyda for the role of the Mother in the play "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World" directed by Magda Skiba at the Juliusz Słowacki Baltic Dramatic Theatre in Koszalin – AMBER.19

Maria Wójtowicz for the role of Luna Miller in the play "King of Tango" directed by Arkadiusz Buszka at the Lentz Villa in Szczecin – AMBER.20

Beata Zygarlicka for the role of Helena in "The Restless Old People's Home" directed by Michał Buszewicz at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – Amber.21

NOMINATIONS IN THE BEST PERFORMANCE CATEGORY

AUTOTHERAPY directed by Mateusz Przyłęcki at the Kana Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.22

Miracle therapy directed by Arkadiusz Buszka at the Krypta Theatre in the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin – AMBER.23

The Magic Flute directed by Natalia Babińska, under the musical direction of Kuba Wnuk at the Castle Opera in Szczecin – Amber.24

Home for the Restless Old Age directed by Michał Buszewicz at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.25

Elisabeth Costello directed by Aleksandra Bielewicz at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.26

Poland is not yet lost... as long as we are laughing, directed by Marek Gierszał at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.27

Copenhagen directed by Adam Opatowicz at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.28

Cinderella choreographed by Grzegorz Brożek at the Castle Opera in Szczecin – AMBER.29

King of Tango directed by Arkadiusz Buszka at the Lentz Villa in Szczecin – AMBER.30

MyLove directed by Rafał Matusz at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.31

The Most Beautiful Woman in the World directed by Magda Skiba at the Juliusz Słowacki Baltic Drama Theatre in Koszalin – AMBER.32

It's Not Your Turn, Honey directed by Tomasz Cymerman at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.33

Oskar and the Things directed by Robert Drobniuch at the Pleciuga Puppet Theatre in Szczecin – Amber.34

The Szczecin Paprykarz directed by Marcin Libera at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.35

Beauty and the Beast directed by Paweł Paszt at the Pleciuga Puppet Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.36

Polita directed by Janusz Józefowicz at the Polish Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.37

Timetable directed by Arkadiusz Buszka at the Juliusz Słowacki Baltic Drama Theatre in Koszalin – Amber.38

Three Pigs – Pink Trio vs. Wolfish Appetite directed by Marta Łągiewka at the Pleciuga Puppet Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.39

Sign with Tongue directed by Daniel Kotowski at the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin – AMBER.40

A Short Distance Relationship directed by Dorota Chrulska and Sławomir Kołakowski, prepared by Adduna Beata Buchner and the 13 Muz Cultural Center – Amber.41

COMPETITION RULES (PDF)

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