The international dramatist, Tom Stoppard, has written a play about Czechoslovakia! Stoppard’s last play is set alternately in Cambridge and in Prague within a timeframe from 1968 to 1990. Stoppard investigates the worlds of salon Marxism in Cambridge in confrontation with the post-August normalisation reality in Czechoslovakia. The frequent merging of the settings – England and Czechoslovakia – creates an interesting perspective not only for our domestic problems of the period, but also for the development of the communist ideal in the West. The author, who was born in Zlín, has projected himself into the fate of the Czech intellectual Miloš. As the name suggests, rock music plays a fundamental role in Stoppard’s play. It is not merely an illustration of the period, but also a kind of direct medium of life: a bearer of energy, a subject of debate, a common experience, the possibility of self-determination and an area of freedom. It is remarkable how Stoppard, who did not live through the normalisation, manages to authentically evoke its reality. Rock ’n’ Roll displays the typical features of Stoppard’s poetic: a depth of ideas, impartiality and especially intelligence and wit.
Translation:Jitka Sloupová
Director: Ivan Rajmont
Stage design: Jozef Ciller
Costumes: Peter Čanecký
Dramaturgy: Lenka Kolihová Havlíková
Jan: David Prachař
Max: Alois Švehlík
Eleanor / Esme (elder): Miluše Šplechtová
Esme (minor) / Alice: Lucie Žáčková
Ferdinand: Jan Hartl
Lenka: Petra Špalková
Investigator / Nigell: Ondřej Pavelka
Milan / StB 2/ Jaroslav: Vladislav Beneš
Pištec / StB 1/ Stephen: Jan Hájek
Candida: Eva Salzmannová
Gillian / Magda / Deidre: Antonie Talacková
The National Theatre is one of the most important Czech cultural institutions and has a rich artistic tradition, which helped to maintain and develop the Czech language and Czech musical and dramatic arts. The construction of the National Theatre building was financed by contributions from the public and the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone in 1868 became a national event. The theatre's repertoire is based on a rich classical tradition, but also focuses on contemporary domestic authors and draws on modern global trends. The current National Theatre is made up of three artistic companies - opera, drama and ballet.
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Tram: 9, 22, 23, 17 or 18 all go directly to the National Theatre
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Metro: Metro B to Národní třída
20 min walk from centre (Old Town Hall)
Dress code: Guests are encouraged to dress smartly. A jacket & tie is not strictly necessary, but we would advise against wearing jeans and trainers.
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