A girl. A lost sister. A monster. A duel. And Rats – the only ones who remember. And they finally squeak up.
A teenage girl descends into the dungeons below Warsaw to find her sister and face the basilisk. Above ground, her mother fights a different battle: bringing a divided community together to overcome fear. Both race against time to save their family and city.
Come join the Rat Squad, sharp-eyed storytellers with rock-solid jokes. Through their commentary, watch rumours spread, stories shift, and fear harden into history.
Basilitrix reimagines the age-old legend through a contemporary, feminist lens. It is a tale about courage, curiosity, and truth, asking what happens when we stop believing stories built on fear and start listening to the voices they silence. Blending rock and jazz with a Slavic folk twist, the musical creates a darkly playful world where humour, danger and tenderness sit side by side.
Writer/Songwriter: Ida Wrona
Composers: Ida Wrona, Michał Grodzki, Anita Zawadzka, Ania Drewniok
Director: Kinga Pazik
Musical Director: Laoise Fleming
Set & Costume Designer: Ewelina Głowacka
Marketing Designer: Katya Bonk
Orchestration: Ania Drewniok
Cast:
Meg Russon as Basilitrix/Beekeeper
Eleanor Fair as Hanna
Joanna Clarke as Albina
André Buhagiar as Adam/Seamstress
Beatrice Gearba as Malva/Woodcarver
Kristie Winsen as Ratmother/Baker
Micáela Gorman as Ratette/Shoemaker
Lucy Blunt as Bob/Glassblower
Ania Drewniok as Swing
Band:
Laoise Fleming - Piano
Rosie Bristow - Bass
Tariq Megrisi - Drums
Aaron Shotton - Electric Guitar
Partners:
Supported by the Polish Cultural Institute in London.
Media patronage: TVP Polonia, MyPolska.UK
'A total must-see! What starts as a simple story unfolds into something intricate, touching, and profoundly human. With its flair of Polish folklore, Basilitrix is a multi-layered journey that will both move your heart and challenge your thinking.' - Audience response
'I was completely absorbed, cheering for the protagonist - only to be left questioning my own prejudices against the 'monster'. A truly compelling emotional journey.' - Audience response
'A wonderful, memorable piece that blends urban legend with modern nuance. The characters are as entertaining as they are varied - there is something here for everyone.' - Audience response