Rescuing Chopin at The Guildhall hailed 'a triumph'

'Rescuing Chopin' was performed at a packed Worcester Guildhall in the city's High Street on Saturday.

PLAY: Rescuing Chopin at Worcester Guildhall (Image: Supplied by Tom Wisniewski)

Tomasz Wisniewski, chairman of the Worcestershire Polish Association and one of the producers, described the play as 'a great success in the heart of Worcester'.

He said: "The British premiere of 'Rescuing Chopin' hosted by the Polish Heritage Society and the Worcester Polish Association was an outstanding triumph.

CROWD: Worcester Guildhall was busy for the performance of Rescuing Chopin (Image: Supplied by Tom Wisniewski)

"The remarkable story of how a Chopin statue, lost for 20 years, was eventually tracked down and restored to its rightful place on London’s Southbank was being brought to an audience with its premiere at The Guildhall in Worcester.

"This beautiful musical soirée in Worcester based on a true story was narrated by Sonya Vickers and Ryan Muliette. It was punctuated by 7 pieces of Chopin piano music, brilliantly performed by Artur Haftman, an exceptionally talented virtuoso from London. The story is one of dogged persistence – the pursuit of a statue that seemed to disappear for 27 years.

"The re-discovery of the statue owed much to the observation and help of some of the homeless who inhabited ‘Cardboard City’, an area of London near Waterloo Station where, at one time, as many as 220 individuals made their home."

The production's director Timothy Crow, said: “We were privileged to have such brilliant performers to bring this soirée together.”

‘The premiere of ‘Rescuing Chopin’ did not just tell a very special story but included selected music by this great composer played by an outstanding Polish pianist’,said Dr Mark Stella-Sawicki MBE, Chairman of the Polish Heritage Society, UK.

"We were delighted to be able to stage this unique event at the heart of Worcester, in the Guildhall, a truly magnificent building dating back to 1721," said Tomasz Wisniewski, Chairman of the Worcestershire Polish Association.

‘How on earth could a two-tonne statue, a gift from Poland to the people of Britain after World War II, vanish into thin air?’, he added.

But that was apparently just what had happened: only seven years after the monument had a royal unveiling on the Southbank in February 1975.

Undaunted by the declaration by the Lambeth Local Authority that they considered the statue to be officially “lost”, a determined sleuth turned for help instead to the homeless inhabitants of ‘Cardboard City’.

 Now, 50 years later, the premiere of Rescuing Chopin was presented in the Faithful City.

Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge, said: "As a great fan of Chopin I was very sorry not to be able to attend this wonderful event. Many congratulations to those who worked so hard to organise something so worthwhile."

Worcester's MP Robin Walker said: "Music is an integral part of Worcester's culture and part of what makes our city so special. I am delighted to see this important cultural event taking place at Worcester's Guildhall and celebrating the enormous contribution of Chopin to our shared musical heritage."

Dr Ranjit Manghnani M.Ed, M.St (Cantab), D. Prof., said: "Thank you for a wonderful Saturday evening, enjoying ‘Rescuing Chopin’. It was delightful.

"Furthermore, your warm hospitality, coupled with meeting the author Dr Mark Stella-Sawicki, the director Timothy Crow and the producer Tomasz Wisniewski with many other eminent people made our evening most memorable. Both Helen and I were bowled over by your organisational skills and your presentation which ensured everything ran like clockwork."

The Chopin statue was a gift from Poland to thank the British people for their help during the joint struggle against the Nazis in World War II. It was the result of a public competition in Warsaw for the design of this important monument.

The sculpture by Bronislaw Kubica was finally unveiled on the Southbank on 26th February, 1975, on the 125th anniversary of Chopin’s death by Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, The Duchess of Gloucester.

Production Support Director of ‘Rescuing Chopin’ Marta Kojscarz (Operations Director of WPA), said:

"I am absolutely honoured to be a part of making this event memorable and wonderful, alongside our amazing team of volunteers from Worcestershire Polish Association, who put not just their hard work, but their hearts, offering their valuable time.

"I am glad to the Professor and Tom Wisniewski for sharing this true story of ‘Rescuing Chopin’ with the world. I thank Tim Crow and cast to present a play and performed beautifully and made this an incredible night. An interpretation of Chopin music played by Artur Haffman was moving and evoking a deep emotional connection.

I am immensely enjoyed having been part of such a well written and beautifully expressed play, such a touching experience."

All pictures are taken by Slawomir Furgalski