By Anthony Barich
OVER 200 Perth Polish Catholic youth are continuing Pope John Paul II’s ‘philosophy of drama’ with a large-scale production that teaches them the deeper things of life.
John Paul II was heavily involved in drama while studying Philology at Krakow’s Jagiellonian University, working as a playwright and he wrote a three-act play in 1960 called The Jeweller’s Shop: A Meditation on the Sacrament of Matrimony, Passing on Occasion into a Drama, about three couples whose lives become intertwined and mingled with one another.
Though the Nazis closed drama classes at the university in 1939, the future Pope learned literary studies, history and linguistics there – all things which Polish Catholic youth now learn in one way or another through an annual large-scale production founded by Franciscan Fr Tomasz Bujakowski as part of his pastoral outreach to youth.
The productions, which started in 1998, were originally in Polish; they started performing in English as well in 2008.
“The theatre is one of the oldest institutions in the world,” Fr Tomasz said.
“However, what interests me the most is the evolution of theatre and its impact on human mentality and behaviour.”
The Perth-based priest studied John Paul II’s books of philosophy in the seminary back in Poland and his teachers were heavily influenced by the late Pontiff’s writings on philosophy.
“In some of the most impossible life situations, theatre was embraced and actively upheld, at times even in secret underground societies where performers risked being held in concentration camps or deported as a result of living out their passion.”
John Paul II faced exactly such a situation at the Jagiellonian University.
Fr Tomasz founded Scena 98 to give youth an outlet and help connect them with their heritage, as many had lost touch with their Polish language.
He also takes the youth and their families on retreats.
“While many of the youth were born in Australia, they are from Polish families.
“Still, this project helps reconnect them with the literature, knowledge and history of their culture,” Fr Tomasz told The Record. As an example of the power of theatre, Fr Tomasz said his Order’s founder, St Francis of Assisi, initiated a nativity play in the 13th century which has influenced both the Christian and broader communities.
The Australian ritual of ‘Carols by Candlelight’ also dates back to these original nativity plays.
“In this context, amateur theatre appears to enrich everyday life, by adding elements of performance and literature, and a sense of belonging to a social group,” Fr Tomasz said.
“Theatre is a living organism, inspired by everyday events, social gatherings, gruelling rehearsals and finally those long-awaited premieres.”
He said that, as a “Christian personality” and philosopher, John Paul II and his writings were “important for Polish philosophy” and thinking, and were in some ways inspired by his theatre work, where he developed a ‘philosophy of drama’.
The Scena 98 programme, Father said, teaches participants philosophy through drama, “a continuation” of John Paul II’s philosophy of drama. His programme also provides a springboard for youth to study at the School of Polish Language and Culture at the Catholic University of Lublin, which runs Australian summer classes in January and February.
Out of 40 from around Australia who have participated in the Lublin university’s summer programme over the past eight years, 10 young people from Scena 98 have won places in it.
Two of Fr Tomasz’ students won a spot through a video they made of the Scena 98 programme.