Watermans Announces Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc Festival as part of the UK/Poland Season 2025
Watermans Announces Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc for UK/Poland Season 2025
Watermans announces Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc Festival
Watermans announces Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc an outdoor theatre festival at Bell Square as part of the UK/Poland Season 2025, which will run through September.
Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc opens on Friday 5 September 2025 with the UK premiere of Bal (The Ball) by Teatro KTO and includes Lost Dream by Teatr Osmego Dnia.
Further artists will be announced in the coming months.
What will the Festival Include?
The Festival features productions by some of the most established Polish companies, legendary across the world, for their spectacular outdoor performances. Many of these companies, established in the 1960s-1990s, have toured widely and have developed London audiences at Bell Square over the last 10 years. The Festival will bring a significant focus on the world-class quality of this work and provide the opportunity for audiences to witness the extraordinary and spectacular range of their productions.
Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc also promotes a new generation of Polish outdoor theatre with performances by younger, emerging companies. Each developing company has been recommended by one of the established companies to be presented in the Festival.
Watermans has developed the festival in partnership with Teatr KTO who last visited Bell Square in 2023 with their show, Arcadia. Watch a trailer for Bal (The Ball)
How did the UK/Poland Season 2025 Come About?
Initiated by the British Council and realised in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute in London and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in Warsaw, the UK/Poland Season 2025 brings together a vibrant and dynamic programme of over 100 events in both countries. The season offers a unique opportunity to discover the work of the most exciting talent across both nations’ artistic scenes, from film, theatre, and visual arts to design and music.
Watermans is especially grateful to the Adam Mickiewicz Institute for their support for Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc.
Jan Lennox, Watermans’ Director commented:
“Watermans is delighted to be presenting a selection of some of the most remarkable contemporary Polish outdoor theatre at Bell Square as part of the UK/Poland Season 2025. Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc will present new work by established companies and introduce the work of some of the most acclaimed emerging companies. As usual. audiences will be able to enjoy the performances free of charge.”
Jerzy Zoń, Director of Teatr KTO adds:
“In these times of growing social and national divisions, the power of theatre should be recognised for its ability to show reality from the perspective of different audiences. Theatre productions showing the power of unity in diversity create a space in which many difficult topics can be discussed, leading to understanding and empathy. In this context, the Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc festival in London cannot be overestimated.”
Magdalena Grabianowska, Deputy Director of the Polish Cultural Institute in London, adds:
“Poland is a vibrant and dynamic force in the European cultural landscape, with a cutting-edge and progressive sector leading the way. Watermans’ festival offers an unparalleled opportunity to show audiences in the UK exactly what makes contemporary Polish theatre so remarkable.”
Watermans is grateful to Arts Council England, London Borough of Hounslow, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Polish Cultural Institute, London, Global Streets and the City of Krakow for supporting Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc.
Watermans is delighted to be presenting a selection of some of the most remarkable contemporary Polish outdoor theatre at Bell Square as part of the UK/Poland Season 2025. Theatre is Freedom | Teatr to Wolnosc will present new work by established companies and introduce the work of some of the most acclaimed emerging companies. As usual. audiences will be able to enjoy the performances free of charge.Jan Lennox, Director
