A theatre group founded in Wroclaw between 1996 and 1997 by Grzegorz Bral and Anna Zubrzycka. Until 1998, it was run under the name ‘Tragon Theatre'. The group's interest is mainly rooted in the tradition and culture of performance arts, especially in terms of its musical aspects. Their work used to be conducted in the Grotowski Institute and in the Institute of Theatre - Culture Findings in Wroclaw. However, in 2002, Song of the Goat Theatre moved to its very own headquarters: a 13th Century refectory in a former Wroclaw monastery.

Bral and Zubrzycka's first show was Song of the Goat - Diatramb" / "PIEŚŃ KOZŁA - DYTYRAMB (1997) which alluded to old songs from the Greek regions of Epiros, Albania and Romania, and to mournful, Greek lamentations as well as to the Madinados traditions - musical poetry improvisations from Crete. The play's plot was drawn from Euripides' Bacchus. From this mix, the group tried to summon up the spirit of ancient audiences.

How far are we from the world of Greek myth? A few million light years. But with Song of the Goat it's all so close, as if the actors had just come from some kind of Balkan banquet, from tables adorned with wine, olives, meat and paprika, writes Barbara Sola. They come in order to dance (amazingly) act, sing, sigh and moan. Holding each other by the hand, they wandered around and stamped out an unusual tale about Pentrusz, torn apart by a crazed woman with her feet. (Literary Journals 2002, nr. 4)

In 2001 a follow-up production was staged, entitled: Chronicles - A Tradition of Mourning" / "KRONIKI - OBYCZAJ LAMENTACYJNY. This time the group chose the rich legacy of funeral laments, focusing their attention on the musical and vocal structure of the songs. The main source of inspiration for the fictional production came from the story of Gilgamesz, a legendary Somerian ruler.

Everything in this production recalls your faith in theatre; the way it penetrates new dramatic spaces seems absolutely spot on, notes Andrzej Molik. The actors sing in such a way that it takes your breath away with great, full-throated voices forming a polyphonic wonder. Their physical proficiency is utilized as a carrier of ideas. Their rhythms are knocked out for whole audiences from their whole selves. Wooden sitting places and benches form the set and these simply fascinate with their simplicity. There are moments during the performance when you realize just how much the actors give the audience…within the boundary of life and death, and how they explore the origins of theatre, allowing you to experience a type of catharsis through these performed laments…the altar will long be remembered as one the most beautiful theatrical formations. (Courier 12-12.10.2002)

The work of Song of the Goat Theatre also encompasses anthropological studies and expeditions (Greece, Albania, Taiwan). The group's members lead actor workshops. Training focuses above all on voice exercises ("Actor techniques" and "co-ordination techniques" are classes led by Grzegorz Bral). Workshops take place within the group's headquarters, as well as in other locations, such as the Jerzy Grotowski Institute, Birchwood, London, Manchester, Dublin, Taiwan and Singapure. Song of the Goat Theatre is the only alternative theatre in Poland and one of only two in Europe, which has a postgraduate study programme allowing actors to gain a Master of Arts certificate. The study program consists of two semesters of practical training as well as one semester dedicated to preparing for practical or theoretical Masters work. Song of the Goat Theatre is affiliated with the drama department of Manchester Metropolitan University.

The group has performed numerous times in festivals organized in Poland, the Malta and Masks Festival in Poznan, Confrontations in Lublin, Collision in Kłodzek, as well as in the Kaliski Theatre Meetings. They have taken part in numerous showings abroad, including Germany, Norway, Great Britain and Italy.

From the very beginning, the group was led by Grzegorz Bral and Anna Zubrzycka. The current members of the group are: Anna Krotoska, Maria Sendow, Christopher Sivertsen, Rafał Habel, Marcin Rudy, Colin Sadler and Matthieu Leloup.


Teatr Pieśń Kozła
ul. Purkyniego 1
50-155 Wrocław
Phone: (+48 71) 346 08 13
Phone/Fax: (+48 71) 342 71 10
WWW: www.piesnkozla.pl
Email: office@piesnkozla.pl