Paperweights - Theatre

Suitable for ages 14+

By Villainarium and Oliwia Kurlej

"Paperweights", performance based on the play "Śmierć Pracownika" ("The Death of the Employee") by Michał Kmiecik.

A show about work-in-progress people, drowning in tons of paperwork and moving towards the light through a labyrinth of corporate absurdities. Will they find relief for their frayed nerves and fulfillment of their desires on the other side of their office cubicle? Or has their bus already left without them?

The performance combines raw staging with dark humor and satire, creating an atmosphere that is at once absurd, grotesque, and intensely human. Scenes involve rhythmic movement and expressive gestures, giving the show an energetic pulse.
The vibe is irreverent and sharp, with biting commentary on bureaucracy, corporate life, and the frustrations of modern work culture. Through exaggerated situations and absurdist humor, the performance offers both a critique and a cathartic reflection on the struggles of contemporary life.
With multimedia elements, hip-hop music, and an ensemble of performers blending the surreal with the relatable, "Paperweights" immerses the audience in a world that is chaotic, witty, and emotionally charged- a true example of off-theatre experimentation with a strong, memorable aesthetic.

SCRIPT & DIRECTION: Oliwia Kurlej
MULTIMEDIA PROLOGUE: Szymon Łukaszewski
PRODUCTION: Tomasz Kaczorowski, Teatr w Blokowisku, Gdański Archipelag Kultury

CAST:

Oliwia Kurlej / OFF-STAGE VOICE
Agata Krupińska / THE JOB APPLICANT
Szymon Łukaszewski / THE JOB APPLICANT, ASSISTANT
Aleksandra Kamisińska / THE JOB APPLICANT, ASSISTANT
Aleksandra Knitter / THE JOB APPLICANT, ASSISTANT
Agata Pokorska / THE OWNER, ASSISTANT

Michał Bartnik / THE CONSUMER (PROLOGUE)

MUSIC FEATURED IN THE PERFORMANCE:

“Meltdown,” from the album "Mieszane Uczucia" ("Mixed Feelings") by Rau Performance; vocals and music: Tomasz Rałowski

“U mnie w pracy” ("Mixed Feelings") from the album "Mistrz sztuki" ("Master of the Art") by Rau Performance; vocals: Tomasz Rałowski, Adrian Nowak; music: Tomasz Rałowski