Gdynia and theater – are words that do not go hand in hand as an uninitiated person will think. The sea and the beach, the port, the shipyard are quite obvious associations. And yet, several theaters successfully operate in Gdynia and Musical Theater of Danuta Baduszkowa attracts viewers from all over Poland and even Europe.
There are also smaller cultural centers here, such as the Acrobatic Dance Theater Mira-Art, which presents shows that require effort, synchronization of movements and great concentration from the actors. There is also an amateur Baltic Theater of Diversity in Gdynia, supported by the Gdynia Cultural Centre, and of course, larger units: Gdynia Główna Theatre, Municipal Theater of Witold Gombrowicz in Gdynia, Musical Theater of Danuta Baduszkowa. In total, in Gdynia’s theater halls, according to the Central Statistical Office, in 2021 alone, over 230,000 people were seated. So where does this love for theater come from?
The first theater in Gdynia – history
It all started on May 14, 1922,on this day, the first theatrical performance was staged in Gdynia, since there was no theater at that time, Augustyn Józef Skwiercz’s restaurant at today’s Starowiejska 1. The National Theater from Toruń, led by Mieczysław Szpakiewicz, performed, in front of the audience in Elżbieta Bośniacka’s play “The Defense of Częstochowa”. And although the conditions in which the actors played were quite modest, and the ticket price was quite high (first seats cost 700 marks), the entire auditorium was filled with spectators. The proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the Polish Red Cross.
Municipal Theater of Witold Gombrowicz in Gdynia
Another, more contemporary theater opened its doors on October 24, 1959. In the first years of its activity, it was called the Traveling Stage of the Wybrzeże Theatre. It did not have its own stage or rehearsal room. In 1964, the name was changed to Teatr Ziemi Gdańskiej, based in Gdynia. Another change came in 1974, when it began to function under the name Dramatyczny Theatre. Four years later, the theater gained its first permanent stage at Bema street, which he inherited from the Musical Theatre. In 1991, the name was changed again, this time to the Municipal Theatre. And in 2000, the theater adopted Witold Gombrowicz as its patron.
The theater also conducts educational and artistic activities. In 2006-2019 it organized the Festival of Polish Contemporary Arts R@Port. A part of the theater is also the Summer Stage of the Witold Gombrowicz Municipal Theater in Gdynia, which operates on the beach near the pier in Orłowo. Cabaret performances, song recitals and other outdoor events take place here. Since 2012, the Municipal Theater has also staged its performances below the deck of the sailing ship “Dar Pomorza”.
Gdynia Główna Theatre
The Gdynia Główna Theater,is another institution which is located in an unusual place, in the basement of the Main Railway Station, which once also served as an air raid shelter. In 2016, the theater was awarded the Artistic Award of the Mayor of Gdynia “Galion Gdyński” in the category of cultural animation, and in 2017 the institution received the “Silver Herring” award for the Gdynia ReActivation project (the best initiative of the year). The Gdynia Główna Theater goes beyond the classical theater scheme. The team’s mission is strengthening active and pro-social attitudes and equalizing life chances, in particular in terms of access to culture and education.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the Gdynia Główna Theatre, with the participation of the city, organizes the annual editions of the National Theater Festival Train to the City. The main theme of the 9th edition of the Festival, which will take place this year on August 7-13, 2023, is Rural-City. Theaters, theater associations and off artists from all over Poland will perform in front of the audience.
Musical Theater Danuta Baduszkowa
Another famous all over Poland Musical Theater named after Danuta Baduszkowa has been operating since May 18, 1958, currently it is located right next to the beach and one of the main streets of Gdynia – Świętojańska. Throughout its existence, the theater has prepared over 450 premieres: operettas, musicals, ballet performances, concerts, etc. Theater enthusiasts are well acquainted with such titles as: “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “The Doll”, “Peasants”, ” Les Miserables” or “Hairspray”.
Initially, the theater functioned in its seat at ul. Bema 26, only later moved to Plac Grunwaldzki. The performance “Krakowiacy i highlanders” played for the first time. In 1992, the institution was named after Danuta Baduszkowa, a theater director for many years. In 2010, the modernization and expansion of the building began. raised by 6 meters and a new stage was added to it.
The three stages of the theater can accommodate a total of over 1,500 people. Thus, the Musical Theater in Gdynia is the largest and most modern musical theater in the country.
Hotel near the Musical Theater in Gdynia
Gdynia’s theatrical scene is famous all over Poland. No wonder the dozens of art-hungry tourists come here every year, while looking for comfort accommodation, as close to the theater as possible.
Hola Gdynia, an atmospheric historic tenement house with 42 rooms, is located near the Musical Theatre. It’s only 1 kilometer, which is a 10-minute walk. The Gdynia Główna Theater and the Municipal Theater are also nearby (approx. 1.5 km).
We are very happy to listen to reports from performances and operettas that our guests treat us to. It so happens that many of them are also viewers of the Musical Theatre!
In our facility there is also the possibility of unattended check-in. Guests receive a door code from us and can easily get into the room even late at night. In the morning, on level -1, a delicious breakfast awaits, which has already positively surprised many people.
