M. Faktor. The Birth of Beauty

The musical M. Faktor. The Birth of Beauty, directed by Agata Biziuk, tells the story of Maks Faktorowicz, founder of the legendary cosmetics brand and coiner of the term "make-up." It is the story of a man who, through his skills and determination, built a cosmetics empire and collaborated with the biggest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age.

Maksymilian was born into a Jewish family in Zduńska Wola. He began working as a child, becoming a drugstore assistant. He later apprenticed with the most famous wigmaker in Łódź. Thanks to his acquired skills, he was able to develop his career first in Berlin and later in Moscow, where he not only created his first cosmetics but also served as a makeup artist at the Imperial Grand Opera and as a private makeup artist and cosmetologist for the royal family. Growing anti-Semitic sentiment and court intrigue forced him to emigrate to the United States. A clerical error created a pseudonym that became known worldwide.

In the United States, his career truly took off. He became not only a store owner but also the founder of a cosmetics brand. His experiments transformed the beauty industry, and his invention of cream foundation paved the way for collaborations with film producers. One could say he created stars, as his signature treatments and products brought recognition to actresses and actors such as Rita Hayworth, Rudolph Valentino, and Jean Harlow. His client list also includes Pola Negri, Charlie Chaplin, Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, and John Wayne.

For his achievements, M. Faktor received a special award from the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

These and other secrets of his life are revealed in Agata Biziuk's musical. Set in a bustling film studio, where dreams of beauty and art become reality, M. Faktor: The Birth of Beauty is a story about the power of self-creation and the fulfillment of dreams.

The music by Stanisław Pawlak is inspired by contemporary sounds from swing to Latin. Anna Domalewska's lyrics tell the story of Maks Faktor's life and achievements, portraying him not only as a cosmetics innovator but also as the man he was to his loved ones. The choreography was created by Krystyna Lama Szydłowska, well-known to our audiences. Marika Wojciechowska is responsible for the set design, inspired by the "dream factory." The result is a performance full of passion, wild imagination, and, of course, glamour.

Running time: 2.5 hours

Premiere date:
April 11, 2025 - 7:00 PM