First Havel play in two decades gets Prague premiere

The world premiere of Václav Havel’s first play in two decades is taking place in Prague on Thursday night. Odcházení (Leaving) is being staged at the city’s Archa theatre, after plans to put it on at two other theatres fell through. It was due to feature Mr Havel’s actress wife Dagmar, but she pulled out saying she was overworked. Václav Havel, who is 71, was a world renowned playwright before becoming president of Czechoslovakia in the wake of the Velvet Revolution of 1989.

Author: Ian Willoughby