The 2019/2020 season is dedicated to the SND centenary and, accordingly, to the collaboration with Czech stage directors. Hence, Jiří Havelka, author and stage director in one, presents a production that draws from the context of Czech and Slovak theatre. The theme also touches upon the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and the leading figures who were linked to the events of November 1989. Many of the names have since become acclaimed members of the SND Drama Company. During the defining moments of the Revolution, they stood on tribunes and stages, and engaged in dialogue with audiences, as the theatre opened door, at the time, to public discussions instead of evening performances. The theme arises from the natural link between theatre, theatricality, centenary, reconstruction of November 1989, and Antique catharsis. For the milestone year is an integral part of the history of our Theatre. The production offers double perspective on the events of November 1989 as an act that was both political and theatrical – in terms of theatricality of the revolution as a principle and, at the same time, of a reconstruction of the event. Theatre that is transformed into a forum; theatre as a place for dialogue; theatre as contemplation about the theatricality itself. The intention of the collaboration with Mr Havelka is to create an authors’ production, in a fashion similar to the earlier collaborative venture, the award-winning title Élites. His specific method draws from archival sources and material, as he works closely with Czech historians and sociologists.

Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes, no interval