“The Best European Show”, a show created in a co-production of five theatres from eight European countries is embarking on a European tour. The show premiered on the stage of the Jan Kochanowski Theatre in Opole, which is the executive producer of the project.

The production crosses borders and brings together artists of different nationalities, cultures and theatrical traditions. The Fondazione Teatro Due Parma (Italy), Kosovo National Theatre (Kosovo), Teatru Malta (Malta) and the National Theatre – SNG Nova Gorica (Slovenia) have joined the project. Bosnian playwright, producer and director Haris Pašović is responsible for the final production.

‘We would like to use this co-production as an opportunity to explore: what European theatre is today, what contemporary Europe is like, what are our duties and responsibilities in public theatres and in the art we create’, says the director.

“The Best European Show” is a satirical-comedy story about contemporary Europe and its theatre. On stage, we meet an international jury that has to choose the winner of the first European Theatre Festival, created on the model of the Eurovision Song Contest. The task turns out to be more difficult than anyone could have predicted.

Politics, private ambitions, love affairs and bold artistic visions intermingle during the final night, where the final decisions are made. The stakes are high, the pressure is mounting. And almost everything that can go wrong – goes wrong….

‘The Best European Show’ not only entertains, but above all focuses on important issues concerning contemporary Europe. Through its multinational cast and themes, it becomes an excuse to talk about the essence of European theatre, the complexity of contemporary Europe and the sense of European identity. It is also an excellent example of how theatre can be a place for meetings, dialogue, respect for differences and, at the same time, expression of common values, say the organizers.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński