[…] Joanna Lewicka created a spectacle that very clearly refers to contemporary social problems. Although the director remains faithful to the original text, she managed to highlight the most sensitive issues: cultural clashes, the inability to communicate across divisions, the differences of women’s status in society depending on the culture. From the beginning of the second act, I’ve suffered the way Lisa and Mi (Su-Chong’s younger sister) were treated by men and genuinely emphasized with the young Chinese woman whose drama depended on her desire to break free from the conservative court and escape to the more progressive Europe.

What distinguishes the “Land of Smiles” from other productions of the Musical Theater is the visual layer. The set design has been reduced to a minimum, props are virtually absent. The costumes designed by Elbruzda are a pleasing combination of vivid colors, rich accessories and timeless simplicity. Stil, the choreography makes an even greater impression. The dancers of the Musical Theater had long struggled with synchronizing movement in group scenes [in other productions]. [In “Land of Smiles”], this weakness has been creatively turned into a strength: In most scenes, each dancer follows a different routine. This solution resulted not only in eliminating the embarrassing dissonances, but also nicely diversified stage movement – despite the modest scenery, I had the impression that the space was completely filled up.

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Tym, co wyróżnia „Krainę uśmiechu” na tle innych produkcji Teatru Muzycznego, jest warstwa wizualna. Scenografia została zredukowana do minimum, rekwizyty praktycznie nie występują. Kostiumy zaprojektowane przez El Bruzdę to przyjemne dla oka połączenie żywych kolorów, bogatych dodatków i prostoty kroju. Natomiast największe wrażenie robi choreografia. (…) W większości scen każdy ma inną partię taneczną. Dzięki temu nie tylko zniwelowano poczucie dysonansu, ale dodatkowo wprowadzono ciekawe urozmaicenie ruchu scenicznego – mimo skromnej scenografii miałam wrażenie całkowitego wypełnienia dostępnej przestrzeni.