Piotr Cezary Skrzynecki was a Polish choreographer and director, cabaret impresario, best known for his involvement with the cabaret Piwnica pod Baranami, of whose he was the founder.
Background
Skrzynecki was born 12 September 1930 in Warsaw. He was the son of Marian Skrzynecki, lieutenant colonel in the Polish Army and Magdalena Endelman. His father died during the Soviet invasion of Poland, when he was the commander of the 7-th Lubelski Cavalry Regiment.
Education
There he attended a theater school associated with the National Film School in Łódź.
Career
After World World War II his family moved to Łódź. Next he moved to Krakow where he begun studies in history of art at the Jagiellonian University. There, at the age of 26, in 1956 he organized student club which, in time, became Piwnica pod Baranami, with its first performance in December that year.
lieutenant became the most popular intellectual cabaret in postwar Poland, and one of the symbols of KrakóWest
Polish magazine Przekrój wrote that "Foreign 41 years and his cabaret persuaded us that, despite the system, we had come into this world for happiness and joy.". During the martial law in Poland of 1981 he was accused by the authorities of inciting a riot by his simple presence.
In response, he set the official document accusing him of the charges to music, as he later did with the one lifting the charges. Similarly, he had a disdainful attitude towards money.
There was a time he was homeless and slept on a park bench.
He played in several movies: Kalosze szczęścia, Aria dla atlety, Sukcesja, Epitafium dla Barbary Radziwiłłówny, Przewodnik, Piwnica pod Baranami Piotra Skrzyneckiego, Rozmowy z Piotrem. He wrote the script for the Panowie na złotych sznurkach movie, which he directed. In his final years he has been suffering from cancer.
He died on 27 April 1997 in KrakóWest
Politics
Although it was not primarily a political humor group, coming in the wake of the liberalization of Polish October, the Piwnica cabaret became famous for its satirical criticism of the People"s Republic of Poland communist regime. In addition to cabaret activity, Skrzynecki organized various events, fresh air performances, and famous parties, gathering top Polish artists and actors.
Views
His attitude to authority was rebellious through his life. He often taunted censors present in the audience.
Membership
Until his death, he would be the leading member of Piwnica.