A Witness uses bread rolls on a cafe table to provide a cynical and rapid-fire history of Poland's shifting borders and partitions. The Narrator observes and occasionally interjects as the Witness illustrates how the country was repeatedly dismantled and reclaimed by neighboring powers leading up to 1945.
WITNESS: All right, 1720 but no later. You won't understand Poland's attitude to Russia until you understand some Polish history. This won't take long.
NARRATOR: I hope not.
WITNESS: Nobody except the Poles remembers that for 300 years this was the biggest and freest country in Middle-Europe, spanning the continent from the Baltic almost to the Black Sea and…
Format: Duologue · Genre: Political Drama · Source: Squaring the Circle · Author: Tom Stoppard · Characters: Narrator, Witness
This engaging duologue, "The Polish Question," extracted from Tom Stoppard's play Squaring the Circle, offers a dynamic and thought-provoking exploration of Polish history. Set in a cafe, the scene features a Witness who uses an unconventional prop – bread rolls – to illustrate the turbulent past of Poland, specifically its repeated partitions and shifting borders. The Narrator acts as an observer, providing context and occasional interjections, creating a layered storytelling experience that is both informative and dramatically engaging.
The Witness is portrayed as a cynical and rapid-fire storyteller, deeply knowledgeable and passionate about their country's history. They command the scene with their impromptu lecture, demonstrating a dry wit and an almost urgent need to educate. The Narrator, on the other hand, embodies a more measured and perhaps initially skeptical presence, representing an audience member being guided through a complex historical narrative. Both characters are intelligent, but the Witness possesses an emotional investment that drives the scene's momentum.
"The Polish Question" is an excellent audition piece due to its unique blend of intellectual wit, historical insight, and theatricality. The use of bread rolls as a visual aid provides a fantastic opportunity for an actor to demonstrate creative physicality and clear storytelling. The scene allows for a wide range of vocal expression as the Witness navigates complex historical events with a wry, informative tone, while the Narrator offers grounded, reactive moments. Its contemporary setting and meta-theatrical elements also showcase an actor's ability to engage with challenging material.
This duologue is well-suited for actors aiming for drama school auditions, agent showcases, or self-tapes where demonstrating intellectual depth and a strong storytelling ability is paramount. It's particularly effective for character actors, those often cast as journalists or intellectuals, and can even be adapted for an Everyman type who suddenly reveals hidden depths. Given its historical accuracy and educational undertones, it’s also ideal for actors who embody authority figures or enjoy material that requires a keen understanding of context.
When approaching "The Polish Question," focus on the Witness's driving impulse to communicate history; find the urgency beneath the cynicism. Ensure your physical actions with the bread rolls are precise, clear, and enhance the storytelling rather than detract from it. For the Narrator, concentrate on active listening and subtle reactions, allowing the Witness's narrative to unfold while still maintaining a present and engaged point of view. Embrace the dry wit and intellectual rigor of Stoppard's writing, allowing the informative and wry tone to truly shine through your performance.