In July 2003, firstlight theatre and Copernicana CIC produced a play written by Danny Masewicz about the Katyń forest crimes. It was based on Danny's family history and was very well received by Stratford audiences.
Play synopsis: A young Polish officer, Witold Masalski, disappears during the Russian invasion of 1939. His brother and the rest of the Masalski family search for him but to no avail. They come to believe he was murdered in the Katyń massacres. After enduring Siberia, India and Uganda and unable to return to Poland, the family settle in the UK. The daughter, Julia, becomes a teacher in London. Sofia and Stefan live in Stratford-upon-Avon. Stefan becomes obsessed with his painting of the Katyń forest. It’s the way he copes with his grief.
In April 1990, the family hears about Gorbachev’s admission of Soviet guilt for the Katyń crimes. Julia has met a Russian teacher, Alyosha, in London as part of an exchange visit. She suggests to her mother and father that they meet the Russian and even give him the painting as part of a glasnost reconciliation. Meanwhile, Alyosha’s Russian parents, Grigory and Anna visit London to see a production of their favourite play, King Lear. They are also victims of Soviet aggression. Anna was imprisoned in the 1950s for writing subversive poetry about the Katyń crimes. Grigory had been directed to work on the sealed trains that carried the Polish officers to their deaths. He has never told anyone of his involvement. The Polish and Russian family meet.
And the play’s denouement sees secrets revealed, griefs exposed and retribution sought. In this turmoil, Stefan’s painting becomes a symbol of the human need for healing and peace. In the final scene, the characters struggle with the past to find healing in the present.
Under Katyn opening night started with a foreward by a renowned historian, dr Maciej Korkuć from the Institute of National Remembrance and was accompanied by an exhibion, depicting the history of Katyn massacre.
The production has been genrously supported by the Polish Cultural Institute, Stratford Town Trust and the Institute of National Remembrance.
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