Szyfman, Arnold Stanislaw

Szyfman, Arnold Stanisław 

Born Nov. 23, 1882, in Ulanów; died Jan. 11,1967, in Warsaw. Polish stage director and theatrical figure.

Szyfman organized and headed the first literary cabaret in Warsaw, the Momus, in 1908. In 1913 he founded the Teatr Polski, serving as administrative director during the years 1915–18, 1939–45, and 1949–55 and as honorary director from 1957. He simultaneously headed Warsaw’s Teatr Mary from 1918 to 1939 and directed the restoration of the Teatr Wielki from 1950 to 1965. His productions included Krasiński’s Iridion (1913) and The Undivine Comedy (1920), Shaw’s Pygmalion (1914), Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1922,1947), and Aeschylus’ Oresteia (1947).

Szyfman staged scrupulously faithful versions of the classics, creating an artistic whole by harmoniously integrating all the expressive elements of a play. Szyfman brought together the best Polish actors in the companies he directed. He was the author of scholarly works and reminiscences about the theater.

WORKS

Moja tułaczka wojenna. Warsaw, 1960.
55 lat w teatrze. Warsaw, 1961.
Labirynt teatru. Warsaw, 1964.

REFERENCE

Teatr Polski, 1913–1948. Warsaw, 1948.