Hunt for Hidden Polish Ancestry

My Child, Oh My Child by Danny Masewicz at the Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 9-12 July. A firstlight theatre and Copernicana CIC co-production — proudly supported by the Polish Institute of National Remembrance.

Review By Barbara Goulden 

I knew about the large numbers of Polish airmen who lie buried in a Warwickshire graveyard but I had no idea of the diaspora of Poles who became unwelcome in their own country after the Second World War and were subsequently dispersed across the world. 

Unlikely towns and cities in Asia, Africa and Britain offered temporary or permanent lodgings, including Stratford-upon-Avon where a sizeable population were persuaded to tell their stories to local playwright Danny Masewicz, who wanted to learn more about his heritage.  

My Child, Oh My Child is the third in a trilogy presented on the stage of the Bear Pit Theatre and follows the real-life stories of eight residents with Polish ancestry ranging from soldiers who fought in the battle of Monte Cassino to a mother, searching for the son she gave up for adoption. 

My Child, Oh My Child.

Sounds serious?  Well, in parts, yes. But also, the play is injected with lots of humour as individual stories are brought vividly to life by this hugely talented bunch of non-professional actors who switch seamlessly between becoming parents, lovers, children, airmen, party girls and even a BBC announcer. One of their histories involves a former Warsaw underground fighter who winds up as a teacher to an American president.

 I have to say there's a lot to take in. I felt almost like I wanted to watch it all again just to catch some of the nuances I must have missed in what is a long play.

It's also a remarkable piece of work by Mr Masewicz, who not only interviews his Stratford neighbours but takes a small part in the finished play, which he then also directs. In the interval there's also an exhibition in this church hall theatre thanks to Copernicana CIC and the Polish National Institute of Remembrance. 

On the first night several members of Coventry and Warwickshire's Polish community were in the audience and excited to share similar stories of their own, often hidden, histories. 

I certainly came away feeling I had learned a lot.  Although the enthusiasm and fervour of this 11-strong cast was the real eye-opener. 

This is a play I would definitely recommend. 

Previous plays in the trilogy supported by Copernicana and Firstlight Theatre were: Under Katyn, in 2023, and Do Not Forget Me in 2024. 

For tickets call: 0333 666 3366 or visit: https://www.thebearpit.org.uk/whats-on/my-child-oh-my-child/