Download Autumn / Winter Festivals - Don Nixon

b u l l e t i n 1/05
The newsletter for those interested in the world of Czech Theatre
Published by the Theatre Institute in Prague
In this issue:
THEATRE / DRAMA
The Prévert and Bulis Cabaret - A Mixture of Two Theatre Cultures
- K. Černá
The Theatre on Dlouhá´s latest premiere, The Prévert and Bulis Cabaret, is a series of original cabarets, presented
in the café located in the foyer of the theatre. The cabaret takes advantage of the exceptional musicality of the
company, whose members sing, play various musical instruments and improvise with great delight.
Two Servings of Russian Drama, Black Milk and Plastelína
- K. Černá
Russian contemporary theatre returns to the Czech stage with Vasilij Sigarev´s Black Milk (Černým mlékem). In
addition to the National Theatre’s production of his work on the Kolowrat stage under the direction of Jan Kačer,
Sigarev’s other play – Plastelína - is also performed at the DISK Theatre by the students of Prague‘s DAMU.
Setting Sail on a Ship Filled with Intrigues – Schiller´s Intrigue and Love
- M. Reslová
On the stage of the Estates Theatre, Jan Nebeský directed Friedrich Schiller´s tragedy Intrigue and Love (Úklady a
láska, original German title Kabale und Liebe). His production is an attempt at a contemporary interpretation of the
classic tragedy.
An Allegory of the Past Transported to Today – J.K. Tyl´s Bloody Baptism
- M. Reslová
Josef Kajetán Tyl´s drama Bloody Baptism, or Drahomír and Her Sons (Krvavé křtiny aneb Drahomíra a její
synové) is a very seldom-performed Czech theatre classic from the 19th century. The oldest theme from Czech history
– the controversy of religious orientation and political conception of the Czech state – is portrayed here through the
means of a conflict between two women, a mother and wife of a dead king and his two sons Václav and Boleslav.
DANCE
Classic Ballet Fairy Tales Dominate the Czech Winter
- R. Vašek
Four classic ballet productions containing fairy tale themes premiered on the Czech stages during the past winter:
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and two productions of The Nutcracker.
A Ballet Homage to Czech Music
– R. Vašek
The highlight of recent ballet premieres was a part of the extensive Czech Music 2004 project in Brno. Choreographers
of the dance programme included Head of the Ballet Department in Brno, Z. Prokeš, up-and-coming choreographer H.
Litterová, and Artistic Director of the National Theatre Ballet P. Zuska.
Two Issues of Dance Zone Magazine available now
– Jana Návratová
Two new issues of the Czech-English contemporary dance review, Taneční zóna/Dance Zone, have been published
since the last theatre.cz bulletin. The latest issues explore the phenomenon of dance and visual arts and dance and
mathematics.
PUPPET THEATRE
Puppet Theatre Highlights – At Home and Abroad
- N. Malíková
News about the world of puppet theatre at home and abroad: Kvelb Theatre and “nouveau cirque”; exhibition of V.
th
Sucharda; M. Melena´s architectural design of the Puppet Theatre in Zagreb; Workshops in Canada; the 55
Anniversary celebrations of Lampion Theatre and the Naïve Theatre Liberec.
MUSIC THEATRE
Greek Passion – An International Commemorative Event
– L. Šaldová
The production of Bohuslav Martinů´s Greek Passion was an international collaborative spectacle. David Poutney
continues his opera collaboration on the stages of Brno´s National Theatre.
EXHIBITIONS
Modern Czech Stage Design Exhibit Continues Throughout USA
- J. Návratová
Metaphor and Irony 2, the exhibit of leading Czech scenographer, Frantisek Troster, and his successors of modern
Czech scenography of the 20th century, is currently travelling throughout the USA.
FESTIVALS
A Complete List of Theatre and Dance Festivals and Showcases
- D. Nixon
Here is a list of festivals happening around the Czech Republic this winter, as well as a preliminary list of those
announced for the Spring.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS AND INFORMATION
PQ Update
- D. Pařížková
American professor of Theater and Head of Dramaturgy at Columbia University, Arnold Aronson, has been formally
appointed General Commissioner of the Prague Quadrennial 2007.
Czech Theatre Projects
- D. Nixon
A short list of projects and performances taking place at home and outside the Czech Republic.
Space Revival: Special Order of Space and the Postmodern Stage
- D.Nixon
The Theatre Institute in Prague is one of the largest publishers of theatre related publications in the Czech Republic.
New titles have been added to its list of publications, and the website much easier to navigate.
New Projects Added to the Czech Production and Project Catalogue
- D. Nixon
The Czech Theatre Production and Project Catalogue is the Theatre Institute’s on-line catalogue of productions
suitable for touring to foreign destinations. More than 35 dance, experimental theatre, puppet theatre and opera
productions are now included in the catalogue.
Editor:
Don Nixon
Contributors:
Sodja Lotker, Don Nixon: Experimental theatre
Jana Navrátová, Roman Vašek: Dance
Marie Reslová: Theatre / Drama
Nina Malíková: Puppet Theatre
Lenka Šaldová: Music Theatre
Pavel Vokatý: Webmaster
Consultants:
Mirka Potůčková
Vlasta Smoláková
theatre.cz bulletin is published four times annually, ©Theatre Institute Prague, 2005.
Back issues of the theatre.cz bulletin can be downloaded from the theatre.cz home page
b u l l e t i n 1/05
THEATRE / DRAMA
The Prévert and Bulis Cabaret
– Kamila Černá
The latest premiere of Theatre on Dlouhá is a series of original cabaret numbers, presented in the
theatre’s foyer café. The cabaret takes advantage of the company’s exceptional musical skills, who
sing, play various musical instruments and improvise with great delight.
The Prévert and Bulis Cabaret (Kabaret Prévert-Bulis)
combines the work of two personalities from the international
theatre world – French poet Jacques Prévert and composer
and lyricist Jiří Bulis from Brno. Prévert´s short dramatic
texts, sketches and poems are interlaced through the
musical creations of Jiří Bulis. Bulis previously wrote this for
the Ha Theatre in Brno. The evening creates a one-of-a-kind
spectacular and pays an honest tribute to both artists, with
its brilliant musical arrangement and directorial emphasis on
the mini dramas, individual songs, lightness and even the
charm as the interpreters perform their own “numbers”. Even
the stage design is excellent – part of the cabaret is performed behind the café’s frosted glass doors,
and the ingenious and artistically composed shadow play gives the performance a magical surrealistic
atmosphere.
Theatre on Dlouhá (Divadlo v Dlouhé): The Prévert and Bulis Cabaret (Kabaret Prévert-Bulis)
Script and direction Jan Borna, stage and costumes Jaroslav Milfajt, musical arrangement Jiří
Konůpek and Jan Vondráček.
Czech premiere January 15, 2005, Prague
http://www.divadlovdlouhe.cz/index.php?show=engl
Two Servings of Russian Drama, Black Milk and Plastelína
– Kamila Černá
Russian contemporary theatre returns to the Czech stage with Vasilij Sigarev´s Black Milk (Černý
mléko). In addition to the National Theatre’s production of his work on the Kolowrat stage under the
direction of Jan Kačer, Sigarev’s other play – Plastelína - is also performed at the DISK Theatre by
the students of Prague‘s DAMU.
Sigarev’s Black Milk (photo left) has all of it’s own special ingredients –
a “cool drama” and what’s more an explicitly blatant hope (even if it is
immediately shattered afterwards), that causes perhaps a bit of
sentimentality. However, it perhaps truly belongs here in the Russian
context.
Cynical Šura accompanies her partner, Levčík, into the snow-covered
countryside on one of his deals selling malfunctioning toasters. In this
environment, where we can see the trash of civilization in the frozen ice,
Šura prematurely gives birth. With sensitivity, the unfeeling Šura
receives a “human” chance: perhaps for the first time in her life, she
feels that she has acted truthfully. She feels the love for her own child,
and for the woman who helped her through the labour… But God, whom
she insists she has seen, is so far away and Levčík and his evil,
“educational lesson” are so near…
Director Jan Kačer has a wealth of experience with Russian drama. He understands its pathos, its
necessarily strong emotions as well as its humour. His greatest support is the strong cast who leads
the audience into a psychological dialogue with shockingly naturalistic elements. The front of the
simple stage – the waiting area of a railway station in the countryside - is framed with wheat that
moves in the wind with each passing train. This particular motive creates the divisions and gradations
in the production. We hear what seems to be the horror from the emptiness of the human existence in
the sound of the clacking wheels that transform into a stupefying and deafening rhythm of techno
music. Under Kačer´s direction, Black Milk is a strong emotional experience. It is probably due to this
that the director and performers do not hide behind the effective irony, nor do they distance
themselves, like detached observers, and refuse to take responsibility of how the world is portrayed.
National Theatre – Kolowrat Theatre: Vasilij Sigarev – Black Milk (Černé mléko)
Translation Daria Ullrichová, direction Jan Kačer, set Jarosalv Bönisch, costumes Jan Tobola.
Czech premiere 13.11.2004, Prague
http://www.narodni-divadlo.cz/C_Zaklad.aspx?jz=en
Setting Sail on a Ship Filled with Intrigue – Schiller´s Intrigue and Love
- Marie Reslová
On the stage of the Estates Theatre, Jan Nebeský directed Friedrich Schiller´s tragedy Intrigue and
Love (Úklady a láska, original German title Kabale und Liebe). His production is an attempt at a
contemporary interpretation of a classic tragedy.
Intrigue and Love is Nebeský´s first encounter with Schiller. Until now, the director has been regularly
devoted to the subjective interpretations of Ibsen and Shakespeare and contemporary theatre scripts
with a very loose structure that borders on improvisation. His approach to Schiller is also nontraditional. The play is a picture of a world where the powers of manipulation destroy the natural
human emotions found in the setting of a trans-oceanic vessel. Here, the underlings and subordinate
colleagues from the lower decks are influenced by the brutal intrigues of the powers of the upper deck.
A picture depicting the natural rhythm of the ocean waves is protected on the horizon throughout the
entire production. Its analogy is a group of dancing girls, moving freely to the rhythm of the music. In
contrast, the movements of the characters in the Schiller tragedy appear somewhat violent and
unnatural, through the use of conventions that seem formal or defined and bound, or otherwise
socially determined. It seems as though the director concentrated on the unmasking of a false society
of stereotypes and powerful intrigues that here act as an emotional “cancer”– in a humanly unhealthy
and mortally perverse, “powerless” environment in which human nature becomes deformed.
National Theatre in Prague: Friedrich Schiller – Intrigue and Love (Kabale und Liebe)
Translation Josef Balvín, direction Jan Nebeský, set Jan Štěpánek, costumes Jana Preková
Czech premiere January 13, 2005, Prague
http://www.narodni-divadlo.cz/C_Zaklad.aspx?jz=en
An Allegory of the Past Transported to Today – J.K. Tyl´s Bloody Baptism
- Marie Reslová
Josef Kajetán Tyl´s drama Bloody Baptism, or Drahomír and Her Sons (Krvavé křtiny aneb
Drahomíra a její synové) is one of the very seldom-performed works of Czech theatre classics from
the 19th century. The theme from the oldest Czech history – the controversy of religious orientation
and political conception of the Czech state – is portrayed here through the means of a conflict of two
women, a mother and wife of a dead king and his two sons Václav and Boleslav.
Tyl´s historical drama originated at a time when the Czech nation, after centuries of living under
German rule, began to strive for its own emancipation. Like Czech politicians in the mid-19th century,
the culture of the Czech nation, and naturally theatre as its largest “mass” medium, also struggled for
its own independence. For his tragedy, J.K. Tyl tried to find a formal inspiration in the great world
dramatists, first and foremost Shakespeare. Like drama produced in the Czech language, the Czech
dramatist of this time also had the characteristics of a somewhat naïve, yet still frankly artistic and
patriotic endeavour. It is very difficult to find the stage resources that would arrange this theatre
literature to a contemporary audience.
The production of Jiří Pokorný is such a pioneering attempt at transferring the emotion and poetics of
Tyl´s historical drama to our time. Under his direction, the actors succeeded in finding a stage
environment in the passionate recitation as well as in their ironic presentation. The production moves
on the border of absurdity and pathos, and both situations are presented with dignity and with all
earnestness. The costumes – inspired by the allegories and symbolic paintings hanging on the walls of
the National Theatre – also move along the border of parody and respect to the historical presentation
and patriotic sentiments of the frescoes´ authors. It originated as a very controversial production that
has more value as a contribution to discussion than as a synthesized and a successful performance.
National Theatre in Prague: Josef Kajetán Tyl – Bloody Baptism or Drahomír and Her Sons (Krvavé
křtiny aneb Drahomíra a její synové)
Direction Jiří Pokorný, set Jan Štepánek, costumes Kateřina Štefková
Czech premiere January 28, 2005, Prague
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DANCE
Classic Ballet Fairy Tales Dominate the Czech Winter
- Roman Vašek
Four classic ballet productions containing fairy tale themes premiered on the Czech stages during the
past winter: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and two productions of The Nutcracker.
As is often the norm, many theatres present Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker prior to the
Christmas holidays. The theatre in Pilsen and the National Theatre in Prague have added their new
interpretations to the list of productions. The Pilsen company wagered on the traditional approach –
choreographer Jiří Kyselák based his production on the famous Vajnonen version. The ensemble
presented it as very progressive with several prominent personalities.
In Prague, the quality “Russian” production of Jurij
Grigorovič was replaced by another “imported” production - this
time by a production of the Hungarian choreographer Youri
Vamos who lives in Germany. The choreographer succeeded in
combining the libretto of The Nutcracker with Dickens´ Christmas
Carol, giving the ballet a greater cadence. More successful first
act surprised audiences with its unusual and imaginative
choreography of several sequences (photo left).
The Prague Chamber Ballet also threw themselves into
ballet completely in contrast to its many years of dramaturgy.
Together with the ballet company of the State Opera Praha, they
presented Prokofiev’s Cinderella (photo right). Artistic director
Pavel Ďumbala and Pavel Šmok participated in the choreography
and direction of the production. From the work, they cut several
sequences that did not advance the story line. Other from these
interventions, however, their production was not rather interesting.
The City of Prague’s Dance Conservatory, in cooperation with the National Theatre, presented
Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty. Several other strokes also occurred in this production. Together with
the beginner dancers, choreographer Jaroslav Slavický succeeded in creating a very cultivated
precisely worked production.
Ballet Pays Tribute to Czech Music
- Roman Vašek
One of the highlights of recent ballet premieres was part of the extensive Czech Music 2004 project.
Choreographers of the dance programme in Brno included Head of the Ballet Department in Brno, Z.
Prokeš, up-and-coming choreographer H. Litterová, and Artistic Director of the National Theatre Ballet
P. Zuska.
The gala evening programme, entitled The Ballet Night on the
Music of Czech Composers, opened with Bohuslav Martinů´s
“Fantasies symphoniques“, the first, large purely repertoire dance
choreography of Brno ballet principal, Hana Litterová. As one of her
early works, it was already a captivating piece with a dramaturgical
degree of development, a feeling of an engaging scenography and
interesting lighting design. In the choreography, we can see a
noticeable inspiration of other choreographers, particularly Jiří
Kylián.
Zdeněk Prokeš, retiring Head of the Brno Ballet emerges in the second
performance of the evening.“Partita” for a string orchestra and piano,
the piece of the unperformed composer Vítězslava Kaprálová, one of
the close pupils of Bohuslav Martinů, is presented as it were with the
benefit of comic tuning.
The highlight of the dance programme was the piece entitled
“D.M.J. 1953-1977”. In this piece, choreographer Petr Zuska
models the micro-story of a dying young girl-pianist and a
demon, rather a phantom of death, incorporating the segments
of compositions by Antonín Dvořák, Bohuslav Martinů and
Leoš Janáček (the title of the performance borrows their
initials). As is typical for Zuska, his choreography emerges
very sensitively from the music. He surprises us with the
unusual flowing movement and an inventive work with stage
objects. This time, he incorporates tall black mats that seem to
hint at the symbolism of a catafalque or the transferral of a dead body to an enormous resting place.
The stage is impressive, especially when the black biers fall one against each other, creating a domino
effect, and at the same time parallel to apparent collapse of our hero’s life. The stage objects did not
only have their own specific creative purpose, but often directly motivated the choreography.
Dance Zone Magazine – Summer and Winter Issues 04
- Jana Návratová
Two new issues of the Czech-English contemporary dance review, Taneční zóna/Dance Zone, have
been published since the last theatre.cz bulletin. The quarterly magazine focuses on the
contemporary dance scene and places it in context to other secondary arts, social phenomena and
also provides a commentary on dance from the perspective of other disciplines.
The Winter Issue of the Taneční zóna/Dance Zone magazine is hot off the
press exploring the revolutionary theme of dance and mathematics. It draws
attention to a series of aspects into which the number enters into the world of
the dancer. Interesting articles written by artists who do not generally pen for
cultural periodicals are published in this issue. Here we can find an explanation
of the role of mathematics in the work of the acrobat artist. Juliana Neves, an
aerial acrobat and member of the famous Cirque du Soleil wrote this text
exclusively for Taneční zóna/Dance Zone.
The magazine also contains reviews and interviews with artists from the Czech
dance scene’s major fall events– the pre-premiere of Lloyd Newson´s DV8 Physical Theatre´s Just
for the Show, that was presented at the Archa Theatre, and Featured, the new performance of
choreographers Kristýna Lhotáková and Ladislav Soukup. The palette of reviews also contains a
series of smaller dance productions – Sapro Agape from the DuWaDance Company and
choreographer Tomáš Krivošik, Spaces in the Dark by Jan Komárek and Monika Rebcová, and
the production of Deep Space by choreographer Mirka Elíášová and her soloist Anka Caunerová.
In addition to the events of local origin, the Winter issue also documents the explosive international
dance events that have flown over our lands – the guest performance of the Hungarian “shaman of the
21st century” Ferenc Fehér with his production Medusa Piercing at the Duncan Centre in Prague,
and the Song of the Goat (Pieśń Kozla) Physical Theatre company from Poland who participated
in the International Theatre Festival in Pilseň with their production of Chronicles – Lament. The
column Small Talks with tidbits of information about the life of the independent dance community, is
also contained in the issue for those who want to be in the know.
The Summer Issue is devoted to one of the most important overlapping themes – dance and visual
arts. The introductory article analyzes the performance of the students of Marina Abramović,
presented at Prague’s Futura Gallery during the exhibition opening of Faxe Kondi: The Unzipped
Time Diary. Also included in this issue are other articles about the two young recipients of prestigious
awards in the fields of dance and visual arts –Petra Hauerová who received the Sazka Award for the
Dance Discovery of the Year and Michal Pěchouček who received the Jindřich Chalupecký Award.
Special emphasis is placed on the visual aspects of the choreographic work, as well as on the theatre
aspects of the works of visual artists.
A probing into the dance activities of the 1930´s South Bohemian group Linie (Lines) pushes on
against the background of current breakthroughs of the group, and also pays attention to the origin of
the trends of “dance at vernissages or gallery openings”, that seems to be peaking today in the
gallery performance types of Faxe Kondi.
Visual aesthetics of space is observed through the works of the most creative and most erotic
choreographer of contemporary dance, Marie Chouinard, who also performed at the ImPulzTanz
summer dance festival in Vienna.
Attention is also given to the remarkable entrance on the dance scene of Czech cultic graphic
designer Adrien Šimotová (who created the scenographic elements for the performance of Japanese
creator Sumako Koseki in the Archa Theatre in Prague) and young choreographers´ enormous
captivation of the character of Francis Bacon. Photographs of the well-known Swiss dance
photographer Gert Weigelt are found throughout the issue. Czech visual artists – Veronika Bromová,
David Černý and Petr Nikl – comment of the performances that were presented during the Tanec
Praha International Dance Festival 2004.
If you are interested in obtaining the latest issues, or any of the other back issues of Taneční
zóna/Dance Zone , please contact the editorial office at – [email protected]
b u l l e t i n 1/05
PUPPET THEATRE
Puppet Theatre Highlights – At Home, Abroad and In Brief
- Nina Malíková
At Home…
The renewal of “age-old” theatre techniques combined with
elements of circus art and street theatre continues to capture
the interest of the Czech theatre public - and not only the
younger generation. The techniques include juggling and
circus acrobatics, as well as stilt walking. Continuo Theatre
was one of the first companies to incorporate stilt-walking in
their productions several years ago in the Czech Republic, but
today the Kvelb Theatre (photo left) continues with this
tradition, and it also continues to appear in the works of
several other amateur and professional puppet theatre
companies. Rightly, trapeze acrobatics and the use of long
scarves, as well as other discoveries of the “nouveau cirque”,
are the subject of a dissertation by Ondřej Cihlář, leading
member of the alternative Vosto5 Company from Prague. In
his thesis, he provides an overview of the history of the new
wave that has occurred in foreign countries, and supports it
with an overview of “new circus” theatre productions that have
been produced here in the Czech Republic. What is
interesting is that a condensed version of his thesis for the
Academy of Alternative and Puppet Theatre in Prague will be
published by the Pražská scena Publishing House, and
excerpts have already been published in the Orghast 2004
magazine focusing on the Czech alternative scene.
www.kvelb.com
Prizes were awarded to outstanding personalities, discoveries and productions in the field of
independent and alternative theatre at last year’s ...příští vlna/next wave... Festival. Last year, the
honour went to Vosto5 for the „symbiotic relationship of elements of new circus, modern cabaret and
comedy performance”. The personality of the year was Jiří Jelínek – head of the independent DNO
Theatre Company from Hradec Králové – who received the award for “exceptional talent”.
… Abroad
The opening of a new puppet theatre building, Kazalište lutaka Zagreb (Zagreb Puppet Theatre), is a
significant event that has united Czech and Croatian theatre artists. Famous Czech theatre architect
and scenographer Miroslav Melena participated in both the interior and exterior design of the building.
In addition, Melena directed the first production performed in the space – “Odysseus”, based on
Homer’s Greek epic.
The Lišeň Theatre Company’s Requiem for a House (Domovní requiem) is one of the most recent
puppet productions that have been taking Czech (and international) spectators and critics by storm.
The independent puppet theatre company first drew attention to itself with their production of Savitri,
using shadow puppetry techniques, and have since have great success in several festivals abroad.
Requiem for a House is a completely different kind of puppet theatre production, showing the
incredible versatility of the company, whose form and content is also a reminder of the poor street
puppet theatre.
“…The play is not pure satire, it is drastic, yet at the same time, it is a real critique of the lifestyle of our
civilization, a look into the backward, hideous face of a sought-after superstar…”
Petr Pavlovský in Loutkář 6/2004
Technical information – Savitri – http://www.theatre.cz/art/clanek.asp?id=6371
Technical information – Requiem for a House – http://www.theatre.cz/art/clanek.asp?id=7266
Lišeň Theatre Official Web Site - www.divadlolisen.cz
Exhibitions
At the end of 2004, the exhibition The Magic of Puppetry of Sculptor
Vojtěch Sucharda, commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of the
famous Czech woodcutter, restorer and puppeteer, took place at the
Museum of the City of Prague. Vojtěch Sucharda was the founder of the
Realm of Puppets Theatre (Divadlo Říše loutek), located in the Prague
Municipal Library in the centre of the capital city. The puppet space was
founded 75 years ago in May 1929 at the same time the UNIMA
international puppet theatre organization was established. Sucharda is
recorded in history books as the sculptor of the wooden apostle statues
located in the astronomical clock in the Old Town Square in Prague.
http://www.riseloutek.cz/
At the beginning of the year, the Lampion Puppet Theatre from Kladno presented two exhibitions
marking the stage’s 55th anniversary. The stage was originally called the Central Bohemian Puppet
Theatre. The first exhibition took place in Kladno, and the second will be an exponent of the unique
Museum of Puppet Culture in Chrudim in West Bohemia, and will run for the entire year.
www.puppets.cz
The exhibit opened in Chrudim on January 17 2005 and contains
unique displays of puppets and decorations from such puppet
productions as Dvořák´s Faust and Kate (Čert a Káča), The
Gingerbread House and Havel´s Tomorrow! (Zítra to spustíme!).
The production of Havel´s Tomorrow! is the first and only puppet
adaptation of the notorious Czech playwright. (Photo left)
Workshops
Cooperation between Czech and Canadian puppeteers in the past few years has continued to
increase in its intensity. In addition to the performances of the Czech companies in Canada (in autumn
2004, the Naïve Theatre performed The Tempest at the La Semaine Mondiale de la Marionette,
Jonquiere, Quebec, and the Cakes and Puppets Theatre Company performed Urbild at the
International Festival of Object Theatre in Calgary, Alberta in January, 2005), Czech artists were also
invited to conduct workshops with Canadian artists.
Czech scenographer Petr Matásek also had an exceptional success during the festival in Saquenay in
October 2004, and in March 2005, actor, director and founder of Cakes and Puppets Theatre, Marek
Bečka, will host a workshop at the Theatre l´Illusion. Nina Malíková, theatre historian and director of
the Puppeteer Magazine (Loutkář), will also host additional workshops.
Anniversaries and Other News
Two theatres have prepared new projects to celebrate their 55th jubilee anniversary.
The Lampion Theatre in Kladno presented the new premiere of Shakespeare’s
Macbeth, designed and directed by Karel Brožek, is targeted more toward an adult
audience. The texts of Shakepeare are heard only frequently on the puppet stage
(most recently in the performance of The Tempest or Midsummer Night’s Dream), but
this time, the interpretation of our famous Macbeth is presented a little differently.
This production is not a play about power. Rather it is the contrast of how men and
women see the world. Most of the roles in this “male” comedy are given to six
women.
The Naïve Theatre also prepared a new production with its qualified team
of artists: playwright Iva Peřinová, director Tomáš Dvořák, and stage
designer Ivan Nesveda. The text for the play, entitled The Handsome
Fire Chief or The Fire of the National Theatre in Prague (photo),
comes from the authentic historical event and surroundings of the fire of
the National Theatre in Prague that occurred in 1881. However, it is also a
pretext for a series of comic and theatrically rewarding situations.
b u l l e t i n 1/05
OPERA
Bohuslav Martinů´s Greek Passion in Brno
- Lenka Šaldová
The Czech premiere of the London version of the Greek
Passion was a great event. The production was a coproduction of the Janáček opera of the National Theatre in
Brno with representatives of various other opera institutions
(Festspiele Bregenz and the Covent Garden from London).
British director David Poutney directed the piece and
famous opera personalities, such as Hubert Francis and
Willard White could be seen on the Brno stage over the
course of its three-day run. In the monumentally symbolic
space, the performers objectively and eloquently portrayed
the characters. The production of the opera theatre was a
picture of professional perfection, both communicatively artistic and philosophic: the production wholly
professes the appeal for human compassion and the fellowship of men.
The production was first staged at the Bregenzer Festspiele on July 20, 1999 and in the Royal Opera
House, Covent Garden in London on April 25, 2000.
National Theatre in Brno: The Greek Passion
Direction David Poutney, conductor Christiana von Gehrena, set Stefano Lazaridis, costumes MarieJeanne Lecca. Premiere July 20, 1999, Bregenzer Festspiele and April 25, 2000, the Royal Opera
House, Covent Garden, London.
www.ndbrno.cz
Other brief news
The 7th Opera Festival of Musical Theatre, which ran from January 7th to March 5th, 2005 had an
astounding success. We will publish a detailed report of the event on the theatre.cz website in the
News section in the second week of March.
http://www.theatre.cz/jhd/
b u l l e t i n 1/05
EXHIBITIONS
Metaphor and Irony 2
- Jana Návratová
On February 13, 2005, the opening of the exhibition, Metaphor
and Irony 2, took place in San Antonio Texas. The exhibition
of works of contemporary Czech scenographers has been
travelling to galleries and museums throughout the Unites
States since August 2004. Artists displayed in the exhibit
include the pupils of František Tröster from Prague’s Academy
of Performing Arts (AMU), as well as the works of the youngest
Czech scenographic generation, who learned their trade under
the guidance of Tröster´s pupils.
The works of architect František Tröster, who would have
celebrated his 100th birthday this year, are some of the greatest
manifestations of Czech modern scenography since the
1930´s. Tröster´s career came to an end with his death in
1968. In Tröster´s work, we are given an opportunity of
encountering the continuing development of modern Czech
scenography, as well as seeing samples of his own original
designs. The exhibition also presents not only the original
stage and costume design work of his students and their
students, but also the photographs of the productions and realized costume designs.
The concept of the exhibit is a continuation of the first exhibit, Metaphor and Irony 2 that was hosted
in the United States in 2000 and 2001. The first exhibit focused on the Czech stage design that
emerged during the 20th century, and reflected the modernist trends and political changes of Central
Europe. The first exhibit presented the works of V. Hofman, J. Sládek, J. Svoboda, O. Schindler from
the older generation and J. Malina, M. Melena, J. Vančura, M. Roszkopfová and J. Jelínek, who are
today classified as the middle generation. The members of the younger generation include J. Preková,
S. Rybáková and Z. Štefunková.
Curators of both exhibits were Helena Albertová (Theatre Institute in Prague) and Joe Brandesky
(Ohio State University).
More information about Metaphor and Irony 2 can be found at www.divadlo.cz/mai2. The website
contains information about the exhibit, as well as photographs from the exhibit and profiles of the
curators. More information about Frantisek Tröster can be found on the official Frantisek Tröster
website (www.theatre.cz/frantisek.troster)
2005 Exhibition schedule:
February 1- April 1, 2005
San Antonio, Texas
Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum’s Tobin Gallery and University of the Incarnate Word’s
Semmes Gallery
www.mcnayart.org, www.uiw.edu
November 10 - December 10, 2005
Lima, Ohio
Ohio State University-Lima’s Martha W. Farmer Theatre for the Performing Arts Gallery
www.lima.ohio-state.edu
b u l l e t i n 1/05
FESTIVALS 2005
Complete List of Theatre and Dance Showcases and Festivals - D. Nixon
Here is a list of festivals happening around the Czech Republic this winter, as well as a list of those
announced for the spring.
Theatre Festivals
2.3. 2005
Ost-ra-var
Čs. legií 14, 701 04 Ostrava
tel.: 596 112 881
[email protected]
http://www.ndm.cz
1.3. 2005
Festival of Theatre for 2-3-4 Actors (Festival divadla 2-3-4 herců)
KVIZ Třebíč
Karlovo náměstí 53, 674 01 Třebíč
tel.: 568 840 459, 777 622 661
[email protected]
5.4. 2005
Setkání - Encounter
Mozartova 1, 662 15 Brno
tel.: 542 210 136
[email protected]
http://www.jamu.cz/setkani
25.4. – 30.4. 2005
Trialog
Národní divadlo Brno
Dvořákova 11, 657 70 Brno
tel.: 542 158 435, fax: 542 217 045
[email protected]
http://www.ndbrno.cz
29.4. – 3.5. 2005
Theatrical Flora (Divadelní Flora)
Moravské divadlo Olomouc
tř. Svobody 33, 771 11 Olomouc
tel.: 585 223 651, fax: 585 225 781
[email protected]
http://www.divadelniflora.cz
10.5. – 14.5. 2005
Encounter (Setkání – Stretnutie) – international theatre festival
tř. T. Bati 4091/32, 761 87 Zlín
tel.: 577 636 349, fax: 577 636 300
[email protected]
http://divadlo.zlin.cz
12.5. – 15.5. 2005
Divadelní Třebíč
IPOS Artama
Blanická 4, P.O.BOX 12, 120 21 Praha 2
tel.: 221 507 952, fax: 221 507 955
[email protected]
http://www.ipos-mk.cz
18.5. – 21.5. 2005
International Theatre Festival “Without Borders” ( "Bez hranic")
KaSS "Střelnice", Střelniční 1, 737 01 Český Těšín
tel.: 558 712 695, 732 86 24 86, fax: 558 713 436
[email protected]
http://www.festivalynahranici.cz/
18.5. – 22.5. 2005
FEMAD Poděbrady
IPOS Artama, Blanická 4, P.O.BOX 12, 120 21 Praha 2
tel.: 221 507 955
[email protected]
http://www.ipos-mk.cz/clanek.asp?ID=173
20.5. – 27.5. 2005
Four + Four Days in Motion (Čtyři + čtyři dny v pohybu)
Celetná 17, 110 00 Praha 1
tel.: 224 809 116, fax: 224 809 125
[email protected]
http://www.ctyridny.cz
21.6. – 30.6.2005
Theatre of European Regions Festival (Divadlo evropských regionů)
Klicperovo divadlo
Dlouhá 99, 500 01 Hradec Králové
tel.: 495 514 590-91, 495 514 876, fax: 495 513 782
[email protected]
http://www.klicperovodivadlo.cz
31.5. – 5.6. 2005
Prague Fringe Festival
Lumírova 27, 128 00 Praha 2
tel.: 224 936 183
[email protected]
http://praguefringe.com
10.6. – 18.6. 2005
Vyšehraní 2005 Festival of Theatre and Music
Martina Dimmerová, tel.: 775 300 724
[email protected]
http://www.praha-vysehrad.cz
Dance Festivals
7.4. – 9.4. 2005
Entrance to Dance (Entrée k Tanci)
Třída ČSA 300, 500 02 Hradec Králové
tel.: 495 513 966
[email protected]
http://www.ic-hk.cz
22.4. - 26.4.2005
Czech Dance Platform - XIth Festival of Czech Dance and Movement Theatre
Tanec Praha
Jirsíkova 4, 186 00 Praha 8
Tel: +420 224 817 886, Fax: +420 222 319 576
email: [email protected]
www.tanecpraha.cz, www.divadloponec.cz
20.5. – 21.5. 2005
Day of Tap 2005 (Den stepu 2005)
Vlastina 11/531, 161 00 Praha 6
tel.: 220 563 459
[email protected]
http://www.zig-zag.cz
6.6. - 30.6.2005
Tanec Praha 2005 - XVIIth International Festival of Contemporary Dance and
Movement Theatre
Tanec Praha
Jirsíkova 4, 186 00 Praha 8
Tel: +420 224 817 886, Fax: +420 222 319 576
email: [email protected]
www.tanecpraha.cz
Multicultural Festivals
8.4. – 15.4. 2005
„Afrique en création“ ou bien „Nous sommes tous des Africains“
(Tvůrčí Afrika aneb Všichni jsme Afričani)
Bohemia Discovery s.r.o., Lohniského 901/7
152 00 Praha 5, [email protected]
http://www.vsichnijsmeafricani.cz
22.4. – 23.4.2005
Kopřiva 2005
Kulturní dům Kopřivnice
tel. 556 871 413, mob. 777 798 354
[email protected]
Children’s and Puppet Theatre Festivals
19.3. – 22.3. 2005
Showcase of the International Day of Theatre for Children and Young People
(Přehlídka ke Světovému dni divadla pro děti a mládež)
Divadelní ústav
Celetná 17, 110 00 Praha 1
tel.: 224 810 278
[email protected]
/assitej/
2.5. – 6.5. 2005
Festival integrace Slunce – jaro – Children’s Festival
Nitranská 9, 130 00 Praha 3
tel: 728 248 925
[email protected]
http://www.festivalslunce.wz.cz/
3.5. – 7.5. 2005
Children in Dlouha (Dítě v Dlouhé) – Children´s Festival
Dlouhá 39, 110 00 Praha 1
tel.: 224 826 797, 224 826 807, fax: 224 826 801, 224 826 797
[email protected]
http://www.divadlovdlouhe.cz
24.6. – 28.6.2005
Mateřinka
Moskevská 18/32, 460 31 Liberec
tel.: 485 253 677
[email protected]
http://www.naivnidivadlo.cz
Music Festivals
16.1. – 2.3. 2005
Opera Musical Theatre Festival - 2005
K Vltavě 18, 134 00 Praha 12
tel.+ fax: 241 771 200
[email protected]
/jhd
12.5. – 4.6. 2005
International Music Festival Prague Spring (Mezinárodní hudební festival Pražské jaro)
Hellichova 18, 118 00 Praha 1
tel.: 257 312 547, 257 310 414, fax: 257 313 725
[email protected]
http://www.festival.cz
17.6. – 4.7. 2005
International Opera Festival of Smetana´s Litomyšl
P. P. 41, 570 01 Litomyšl
tel.: 461 612 575, fax: 461 616 071
[email protected]
http://www.smetanovalitomysl.cz
Many annual festivals still have not confirmed their actual dates. For a complete list of festivals in and
around the Czech Republic, see the Festival Directory Database on the www.theatre.cz website.
b u l l e t i n 1/05
OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
PQ07 News
-D. Pařízková
It is a great honour for the PQ Organizers to announce that on December 26, 2004, the Minister of
Culture of the Czech Republic, Mr. Pavel Dostal, appointed Mr. Arnold Aronson as a General
Commissioner of Prague Quadrennial 2007.
Arnold Aronson is Professor of Theater and Head of Dramaturgy at Columbia University. He served as
Chair of the Theatre Arts Division at Columbia (1991- 1998), and prior to that, chaired the theatre
departments at Hunter College and the University of Michigan. In 1995, Arnold was a curator of the
American National Exhibit during the Prague Quadrennial and served as President of the International
Jury at PQ 1991 and 1999. He participated as a specialist during the Heart of the Prague Quadrennial
2003.
He is author of History and Theory of Environmental Scenography, American Set Design, Architect of
Dreams: The Theatrical Vision of Joseph Urban, and American Avant-Garde Theatre: A History.
Currently he is working on Looking into the Abyss: Essays on Scenography (forthcoming 2005).
His articles have appeared in such publications as the Cambridge History of American Theatre,
Pleasure: The Architecture and Design of the Rockwell Group and Approaching the Millennium:
Essays on Angels in America. He has contributed to such encyclopedias as The Cambridge Guide to
Theatre, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance and The Encyclopedia of New York.
His articles have been published in American Theatre, The New York Times, TheaterForum, Theatre
Journal, The Drama Review, Theatre Research International, Theatre Design & Technology, and
Bühnentechnische Rundschau, among others. He has also published the articles about PQ in various
journals and magazines.
He is former Commissioner and current Vice-commissioner of the History and Theory Commission of
the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) and a
representative of United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT).
As General Commissioner of the PQ 07, Mr. Aronson will be the main guarantor of the Concept of the
PQ 07 and its accompanying activities. He will further act, together with the Director of the PQ, as the
representative of the PQ abroad and lead the communication with the national curators.
Czech Theatre Projects - At Home and Abroad
- J. Návratová, D. Nixon
Here is a short list of projects organized by the Theatre Institute taking place at home and outside the Czech Republic.
ABROAD
March
Prague Quadrennial at the World Stage Design
March 12-19, 2005
Toronto, Canada
The first international exhibit of stage, costume, light and sound designs – World Stage Design 2005 will exhibit the works of
five Czech contemporary scenographers, as well as a special exhibit of the Prague Quadrennial 2007. A digital exhibit will also
be available on the World Stage Design website which will also contain the works of four other young Czech scenographers.
www.pq.cz, www.wsd2005.com
Interplay Residency of Dramatists from USA and Eastern European Countries
March 15 – April 5, 2005
New York, USA
Czech playwright and dramaturg of the National Theatre Prague I. Volankova will participate in the New Dramatists residency
programme in New York. A public reading of her play “Minach” in English will take place at the New Dramatists headquarters
during the residency. For more concrete details, contact Todd London at the New Dramatists in New York.
Co-organized by: Dah Teatar, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro; White Chalk Circle, Budapest, Hungary; Na Zabradli Theatre,
Prague, Czech Republic
www.nazabradli.cz, www.newdramatists.org
May – December 2005
TEATRO.CZ
A Season of Czech Theatre in Latin America 2005
The main aim of the project is to organize the travel for Czech theatre productions to Latin America and provide them with the
Latin American countries with an opportunity of discovering Czech theatre and dance in their own country. The project also is
an organization of extensive cultural cooperation, thus deepening the cultural relationships between the countries.
For this reason, important components of the project will also include the publishing of plays in translation and other specialized
publications that will be distributed all over Latin America and the Czech Republic, opening up the opportunities for the
productions of these plays. Another important part of the project is the organization of workshops, cooperations on new
productions, and attendance of scientists at conferences. All of these activities are opening new possibilities for cooperation in
different areas of theatre.
Preliminary program and other information available at [email protected]
The official web page will open beginning of May 2005 www.teatro.cz
This project is organized by the Theatre Institute Prague supported by The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic in
cooperation with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Prague City Council.
Contemporary Czech Play Reading in New York
May 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2005
New York, New York, USA
The continuation of the successful cycle of rehearsed readings of contemporary Czech dramatists. The group of contemporary
authors will include L. Lagronová, D. Drábek, E. Tobiaš, and I. Volánková. More details will become available soon, but the
activities are planned to include the attendance of the Czech playwrights, as well as other Czech theatre practitioners.
In collaboration with the Czech Centre in New York, Immigrants Theatre Project, Public Theatre, and the DILIA and Aura-Pont
Literary Agencies.
AT HOME
March
ASSITEJ Showcase of World Day of Theatre for Children and Young Adults
March 19 – 22, 2005 – Prague
A showcase of inspirative performances for children and young adults, organized by the Theatre Institute/Czech Centre of
ASSITEJ, in collaboration with the City of Prague, Klub Mlejn, and the Celetná Theatre.
www.theatre.cz/assitej
April
Czech Dance Platform
April 22 – 26, 2005 – Prague
This year’s Czech Dance Platform will present all the most important dance performances that premiered during the past
season. The program will include such innovative young Czech choreographers as Vera Ondrasikova, Ioana Mona Popovici,
Kristyna Lhotakova, as well as others. An important element of the Platform will be the round table discussion of “Festivals:
Co-productions and residencies”. This meeting, co-organized by the Theatre Institute and Tanec Praha, will take place on
Saturday April 23 at 10:00 in the foyer of the Ponec Theatre.
For preliminary program and more information contact: [email protected]
www.tanecpraha.cz
May
Petr Lebl - 1:1 – Gallery Art Factory, Prague
May 3 – June 5, 2005
A commemorative exhibit marking the 40th birthday of the late Czech director, actor, author and graphic artist
The exhibit will map the work of this universal theatre personality’s career (1985-1999), from his amateur works in the
DOPRAPO Theatre (respectively Jak se vám jelo and the JELO Theatre), as well as his work with professional theatres a the
Theatre on the Balustrade (with his famous productions of The Seagull, Ivanov, and Uncle Vanja). Special attention will also be
given to his directed work at the National Theatre in the Czech Republic and the National Theatre in Habim, Israel. The exhibit
will also feature some of his graphic works.
Space Revival: Special Order of Space and the Postmodern Stage
- D. Nixon
For almost fifty years, the Theatre Institute has been publishing books and
magazines in English and other languages, providing its foreign partners with
more information related to the history and the currents and trends of Czech
theatre.
Stage design and theatre architecture is just one of the particular aspects of
theatre life that the Theatre Institute continues to research and promote. One of
its major activities is the coordination and promotion of the Prague Quadrennial
International Exhibition of Theatre Architecture and Scenography. The PQ
provides not only the Czech Republic, but also the entire world, with an ideal
opportunity for specialists and those interested in theatre design to witness the
current trends in the field of World scenography.
The Theatre Institute, together with the International Federation for Theatre Research, organized a
conference entitled “Theatrical Space in Postmodern Times: Contemporary Concepts and
Methodologies during the 1999 Prague Quadrennial. The aim of the conference was to provide
opportunities to discuss the role of space and spatial relationships in theatre design. The conference
generated a series of discussions and meetings that provided theatre practitioners from all over the
world with an opportunity of sharing their ideas, opinions and theatres.
Shortly thereafter, the Theatre Institute published the collection of essays and papers delivered during
the conference in a volume entitled, Space and the Postmodern Stage. The volume contains articles
from 18 contributors, and provides an overview of the contemporary trends in the field of stage design,
including a critical analysis of one of the world’s most significant scenographers, Josef Svoboda, and
his last production of Goethe’s Faust at the National Theatre in 1999.
Space and the Postmodern Stage has once again become an indispensable addition to the libraries
of scenographers and schools teaching the art of stage design.
The Theatre Institute is currently offering a special offer to its Internet readers:
Space and the Post Modern Stage
– Only 8 Euro plus postage and handling!
Contact [email protected] to receive your order form.
It’s now much easier now to get your hands on books, videos and DVD’s published by the Theatre
Institute. Visit our publication website http://institute.theatre.cz/publikace.asp.
New Projects Added to the Czech Production and Project Catalogue
- D. Nixon
The Czech Theatre Production and Project Catalogue is the Theatre Institute’s on-line catalogue of
productions suitable for touring to foreign destinations. More than 35 dance, experimental theatre,
puppet theatre and opera productions are now included in the catalogue.
The On-Line Project Catalogue is a useful working tool for international promoters, venue managers
and festival organizers, and contains basic production about the project and the artists, as well as
basic information about the production, including the technical requirements of the productions, and
the number of artists travelling with the company.
An additional 9 new projects have been added to the catalogue. Simply Click on the desired genre to
see the new companies that have been added!
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4 New Drama productions
1 New Opera Production
3 New Puppet productions
1 New Contemporary dance productions
The number of productions continues to grow, and information about the companies is continuously
updated. If there is a Czech company not listed in the Czech Theatre Production and Project
Catalogue, contact us.