Arnold Szyfman

Arnold Szyfman (23 November 1882 in Ulanow - 11 January 1967 in Warsaw) was a Polish theatre director and stage director. Founder of the Polish Theatre in Warsaw. He supervised the construction of Teatr Polski in Warsaw which opened in 1913 with Zygmunt Krasinski's Irydion. One of the most beautiful playhouses in Europe, it was equipped with a revolving stage and up-to-date lighting, and was under Szyfman's management from 1913-1939, except for his two-year internment in Russia in the First World War. In hiding during the next war, Szyfman resumed management of the Polski in 1945, was fired by the communist authorities in 1949, and returned for a final time from 1955-1957. He was also manager of other Warsaw theaters and companies. At the Polski, he employed the best artists and directed numerous productions himself, including 22 Shakespeare plays.

Awards:

1925 - Officer's Cross of the Order of the Restitution of Poland; French Legion of Honor Cavalier's Cross; Corona d'Italia Officer's Cross

1946 - Golden Cross of Merit

1959 - Order of the Banner of Labor, 1st class