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How far would you go to hide a scandal?

  • 26 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

Copernicana CIC and Firstlight Theatre bring The Morality of Mrs. Dulska to The Bear Pit Theatre, 8–11 July 2026. Running time 110 minutes (plus interval)

Preview

 

A fiercely funny European masterpiece is coming straight to the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Copernicana CIC and firstlight Theatre are staging Gabriela Zapolska’s landmark comedy, The Morality of Mrs. Dulska, at The Bear Pit Theatre this July.

 

The play is a hilarious, biting satire about keeping up appearances. At its centre is Aniela Dulska, a matriarch obsessed with public respectability while hiding total chaos behind closed doors. It asks a timeless question: what will people ignore just to protect their comfort and social standing?


Jacquie Campbell as Mrs Dulska. Photo by Adam Demkow Photography.
Jacquie Campbell as Mrs Dulska. Photo by Adam Demkow Photography.

 

The production marks the play's 120th anniversary, coinciding with a major revival at the National Theatre in Warsaw.

 

Director Graham Tyrer (Danny Masewicz) said: “Zapolska’s play is funny because it is painfully accurate. It tackles the gap between the values we claim to have and the choices we actually make when money or status are at stake. It’s hilarious, local, and unsettling.”


Director Danny Masewicz in rehearsals. Photo by Adam Demkow.
Director Danny Masewicz in rehearsals. Photo by Adam Demkow.

 

This is a truly home-grown production. It brings together skilled Stratford and Warwickshire makers, designers, and actors alongside international artists. The show continues a highly successful local partnership, following past hit productions like Under Katyń (2023) ’Do Not Forget Me’ (2024) and My Child, Oh My Child (2025).

 

Producer Magda Dylag added: “The emotional world of this play will be instantly recognizable to Stratford audiences. It's all about family tensions, money, and social pressure. We are proud to create this work right here with local talent.”


Producer Magda Dylag. Photo by Adam Demkow.
Producer Magda Dylag. Photo by Adam Demkow.

The show is proudly supported by the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust and the Polish Cultural Institute London. Local schools and community groups can also look out for selected open rehearsals during development.

 

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