English-language comedy Not Bad for a Disaster premieres at Dom Tramwajarza in Poznań on Wednesday 18th November, written and directed by Tony Suárez.
A theatre production short of money, a gangster willing to pay the bills and a showgirl who must take centre stage. It sounds like a deal destined to go wrong, and in Not Bad For a Disaster, that is precisely where the fun begins.
The English-language comedy premieres in Poznań on Wednesday, 18th November, bringing a story of ambition, egos and backstage chaos to Dom Tramwajarza. Presented by Open City International Theatre and Nomadlight, the production is written and directed by Spanish theatre-maker Tony Suárez, marking his first theatrical premiere in Poland.
At the centre of the story are John and Julia, two passionate theatre directors struggling to find the money to stage their latest play. Just as their plans seem likely to collapse, an unexpected offer arrives from Vittorio Gonzalez, a notorious gangster prepared to finance the entire production.
There is one condition. His girlfriend, Vanessa, an eccentric and unpredictable showgirl, must play the leading role.
What initially looks like a solution quickly becomes a problem of its own. With money, ambition and competing egos in the mix, keeping the production on track proves far more difficult than securing the funding. And all this happens before the curtain has even risen.
Comedy with a backstage perspective
While Not Bad For a Disaster promises plenty of theatrical mishaps, its setting also explores the world behind the entertainment industry's colourful public image. The production combines a farcical premise with questions about ambition, personality and the compromises that can arise when money meets creative vision.
The characters draw on a mixture of real-life observations and fictional influences, creating an ensemble in which contrasting personalities drive the action. The result is a comedy that aims to entertain while leaving audiences with ideas to consider after the curtain falls.
When rehearsal chaos makes the final cut
Some of the production's funniest moments have come from events that were never planned. During rehearsals, unexpected incidents have sent the cast into fits of laughter, with several spontaneous moments proving so entertaining that they were kept in the finished show.
That blend of preparation and unpredictability seems particularly fitting for a comedy about a theatrical undertaking that threatens to unravel. It also offers a glimpse into the collaborative work behind the performance, where the cast's chemistry can shape what audiences eventually see.
Meet the director: Tony Suárez
Born in Murcia, Spain, Suárez developed a passion for the arts at an early age. He trained in acting and stage direction in Murcia and Madrid and has written several plays, including Julieta en el infierno and Tauro.
Alongside his theatre work, he teaches and runs Nomadlight Films, his video production and content creation company. He has been dividing his time between Spain and Poznań for the past two years, collaborating on artistic projects and developing new theatre and film work with international artists based in Poland.
From the people who inspire his characters to the rehearsal mishaps that made it into the finished show, Suárez offers a glimpse into the creative process behind Not Bad For a Disaster.
Inside Not Bad For a Disaster: An Interview with Tony Suárez
What was it about this particular story that made you want to bring it to the stage?
I had been working on this story for years, waiting for the right opportunity and the right group of actors to bring it to life. That opportunity came with Open City International Theatre in Poznań. Interestingly, this will be the first play I have ever premiered in Poland.
What do you hope the audience will feel or question when they leave the theatre?
I hope the audience can escape into our story, switch off from everyday life, and have a great time. At the same time, I want them to see what happens in the entertainment industry beyond the spotlight. It’s a world that looks happy and colourful on the surface, but hides plenty of shadows behind the scenes.
What is the funniest or weirdest memory from rehearsals that you still remember?
I have countless memories from rehearsals, but my favourites are the moments when something unexpected happens and the entire cast bursts into laughter. Sometimes, these accidents are so funny that we decide to incorporate them into the play as if they had been part of the scene all along. In fact, several moments in Not Bad For a Disaster were born this way and have stayed in the show because they worked so well!
Have you ever drawn inspiration from a movie character when creating characters for your plays?
Yes, absolutely, although I’m never inspired by just one character. I’ve been watching films for as long as I can remember, and I often incorporate little details from characters I’ve seen in films, read about in books, watched on stage, or even encountered in everyday life. Inspiration can come from absolutely anywhere!
What was the most challenging moment you faced while bringing this play to life?
The biggest challenge has been coordinating so many actors and keeping everything running smoothly. Directing a large team is a huge responsibility, especially when you also have to be an actor, playwright, secretary, coach, philosopher, and psychologist all at once. Thankfully, we're making it work!
Will you be performing Not Bad For a Disaster again after the premiere?
Yes! Our plan is to perform it throughout the year in Poznań and in other cities, too. But don't miss your chance to see the premiere, there are only a few tickets left!
See Not Bad For a Disaster in Poznań
The premiere offers local audiences a chance to see Suárez's work on stage for the first time in Poland. Further performances are planned in Poznań and other Polish cities throughout the year, although additional dates have not yet been announced.
Event details
Production: Not Bad For a Disaster
Genre: Comedy
Date and time: Wednesday, 18th November 2026, 8.00 pm to 9.20 pm
Language: English
Venue: Dom Tramwajarza, ul. Juliusza Słowackiego 19/21, 60-702 Poznań
Tickets are 35 zł and can be booked through Evently.
With an unlikely deal at its centre and a cast whose rehearsal-room accidents have become part of the show, Not Bad For a Disaster promises an evening of comedy shaped by careful preparation, contrasting personalities and the unpredictability of live performance.
