The aim of the paper is to show the impact contemporary drama has had on Polish theatre during the last 50 years. In this period, there were two innovative phases in Polish drama, both having a different impact on the theatre. After 1956, political changes allowed for noticeable transformations in the dramatic and stage conventions, which up to then were dominated by socialist realism. After 1989, political changes brought a few promising debuts, as well as new topics and means of expression, which had been almost completely absent from the Polish stage. At the same time, this paper tries to show in which respect Polish dramaturgy maintained its national uniqueness, while being influenced by world drama.