Becca C-B book report

Land of ashes and diamonds
By Eugenio Barba
Land of Ashes and Diamonds includes 26 letters written from Jerzy
Grotowski to Eugenio Barba during the early stages of Grotowski's work in
the 1960's. The letters are extremely difficult to understand as they
appear to be in written in a fabricated (almost magical) language shared
between two friends. Barba attempts to decode the letters for his puzzled
reader through an autobiographical essay which encompasses his
apprenticeship in Poland-where he was to meet his close friend and
collaborator Grotowski as well as many other associates who played a huge
part in his life and his own work. The reader is introduced to detailed
encounters during his time in Poland as well as his adventures around the
world-India and Norway being greatly profound in his life and two
countries which inspired him and aided in the development of his work. As
his remarkable journey unfolds the reader is enlightened with their
struggle as playwrights working in a corrupt and censored country at this
time; the war evidently leaving lasting and irreversible damage long after
it was over taking Poland years to recover.
As the book comes to an end the extent of Grotowski's influence on Barba's
life and work is apparent-Barba throughout refers to Grotowski as master.
But by no means was it unreciprocated. It was Barba who supported
Grotowski throughout his career, believing in his genius and doing
everything in his power to see Grotowski's Laboratorium succeed. Barba's
mission was to put Polish theatre on the radar, to make it recognised
worldwide, to try and make others aware of, and appreciate the depths of
this unique style of theatre (and culture) which had stolen him. Poland,
for Barba was the land of ashes and diamonds.
This book is highly comical at times particularly when Barba talks about
his relationship with Grotowski and through his attempt to interpret the
letters written by Grotowski. But this book was also hard hitting. A
moment in the book which took hold of me was when Barba reflects the
importance of Grotowski's production of Studium o Hamlecie in his artistic
career often ignored or overlooked with Kordian, The Constant Prince and
Akropolis, three of Grotowski's greatest works taking centre stage. Barba
includes an article which he wrote when the production was presented
publicly and it moved me to the core. An exceptionally well written piece
which paints a vivid picture of what the production of Studium o Hamlecie
encapsulated. The reader is told that the themes reflect those of his
previous productions but push the boundaries of Polish socialism even
further it is a production which is outrageously political and evidently
connected with Poland's history. The production was immediately taken-off
the repertoire leaving the Polish authorities, Barba admits understandably
irritated. I have to read this play.
However, the most prominent emotion I felt throughout my reading was
frustration; I often felt Barba's frustration regarding Grotowski's
Laboratorium that his revolutionary work was being unrecognised and
unappreciated. But in turn by the end of the book the feeling of
admiration takes over. What these zealous practitioners have achieved,
both individually and collectively is inspiring but, perhaps more
importantly it is what they inevitably conquered on their road to success
which grabs you. You are left, unknowingly with almost the moral of never
giving up on what or who you believe in; determination is key to any
success as Barba and Grotowski have shown-Grotowski Laboratorium is a
resounding international success (to the authorities annoyance) and Barba
eventually 'finds himself' in the form of his established Odin Teatret.