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PanoramaThe 'Clever Stupid' Rom's fairytale ending - and deeper meaning
Theatre director Pavla Dombrovska has long been fascinated by Romany
culture; inspired by the vigorous, joyful and often tragic tone of Gypsy
music, and enthralled by this people's storytelling tradition. So she set
out to adapt for the theatre a collection of Romany folktales: they were
compiled - or rather, lovingly transcribed - by the noted scholar Dr
Milena Hubschmannova, in the '60s and early '70s. But the play got off to
a difficult start: Dombrovska was shocked to find how little she really
understood of these "naïve" fairytales, and how opposed Dr
Hubschmannova was to the project. More
One on OnePetr Sourek - artistic director of theatre for the homeless
The Jezek and Cisek theatre here in Prague is most unusual in that all of
its members either are homeless or have spent time on the streets in the
past. Its dramaturg, or artistic director, is a young man called Petr
Sourek. I caught up with Petr after a recent show at Prague's NoD club,
and began by asking him to tell me a bit about the history of the Jezek
and Cisek theatre group.
More
Current AffairsDagmar Havlova to return to stage in 'Moment of Truth'
Just a month ago former First Lady Dagmar Havlova - wife of playwright and
ex-president Vaclav Havel - admitted she was suffering serious health
problems - with her thyroid gland and her heart - requiring quiet and
rest. That clearly hasn't prevented the former First Lady from going ahead
with plans to return to the stage: in the spring she will appear in a
tragicomedy written by US playwright Israel Horovitz. It will be the first
time theatre fans will be able to see the actress on stage since 1997.
More
Current AffairsUnderground rail systems reflect differences between Prague and New York, says artist
Every first Thursday of the month the Czech Center in New York hosts an
informal party called DOH-BREE DEHN, a phonetic transcription of the Czech
for 'hello'. This month New York artist, Eleanor Dubinsky, presented a
video installation taking public transport as its inspiration. The images
were projected on multiple screens of subway trains from New York City and
Prague and accompanied by Ms. Dubinsky's live performance, using dance,
cello and voice. The piece is entitled 'Transit', and she was first
inspired to create the work while she was living in Prague, thanks to the
School for International Training. Eleanor Dubinsky tells Radio Prague how
the creation of 'Transit' began. More
Current AffairsBittersweet anniversary for Prague's Rokoko theatre
One of Prague's most venerable theatres is celebrating its 90th birthday
this week. From playing host to such stars as Jan Werich and Jiri Voskovec
in the 1930s to Helena Vondrackova and Marta Kubisova in the 1960s, the
Rokoko theatre has always had a reputation for providing top-quality
entertainment for Prague audiences. Nevertheless, despite the festive
atmosphere surrounding its anniversary celebrations, the curtain seems set
to fall in this theatre for the last time.
More
Current AffairsTheatre helping Prague's homeless get back on their feet
Under communism it was practically impossible to be homeless in this
country. Since the 1989 revolution that has changed dramatically, with one
survey finding there were over 3,000 people living on the streets in the
capital alone. For the down and out, getting back on their feet is no easy
task. But for a few years now a Prague theatre group has been helping the
homeless regain some self-esteem, and a semblance of normality. On Monday
it premiered a new play.
More
MagazineMagazine
He's no diplomat but he has survived nine foreign ministers: meet the Czech
Foreign Ministry's 50 year old mascot Pepik. Corruption is a serious
problem, but it's giving Czechs a lot of laughs. And, an earthquake
rattles window panes in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. Find out
more in Magazine with Daniela Lazarova.
More
Current AffairsUp in Letna roaring lions and dancing elephants are nowhere to be seen
Letna Plain - just a stone's throw from Prague Castle - was the venue for a
colourful cultural event. Letni Letna, or Summer Letna, featured a wide
variety of performers, including the world famous Cirque Baroque from
France. Letni Letna has just come to an end, and I caught one of the last
performances.
More
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