OpeningNight.Online Theater Logo

AUDIENCE by Václav Havel

Vit Horejs as Vanek, Theresa Linnihan as Brewmaster. Photo by Jonathan Slaff
Vit Horejs as Vanek, Theresa Linnihan as Brewmaster. Photo by Jonathan Slaff
Search by review category
Rating
4.6/5

In 1948, Czechoslovakia was the last democracy in Eastern Europe to fall under communist rule.

Audience presented a remarkable story about former Czechoslovak president Václav Havel. It was an examination of a moment in time when, under the boot of Soviet oppression and occupation in Czechoslovakia, the renowned author and intellectual Havel was forced to work in a regional brewery. Havel had also suffered multiple imprisonments as a banished playwright. This story is set before Havel’s time as Czechoslovakia’s president from 1989-1992 and president again of the Czech Republic through 2003.

Today’s production began with film clips familiarizing the audience with the decades of Soviet communism from 1948-1989 imposed on the people of Czechoslovakia. We see scenes of indoctrinating children in schools, propaganda, government-controlled press and media, and typical manifestations of communist totalitarian rule that crushed the democratic hopes and dreams of Czechoslovakia.

Vít Hořejš as Vaněk, Theresa Linnihan as Brewmaster. Projections of small puppets. Photo by Jonathan Slaff.
Vít Hořejš as Vaněk, Theresa Linnihan as Brewmaster. Projections of small puppets. Photo by Jonathan Slaff.

In the play, the character Ferdinand Vaněk (Vít Hořejš) is the nom de plum of Václav Havel. The scene began with Vaněk rolling a large oak beer barrel and opening it. Inside was The Brewmaster (Theresa Linnihan), who awakened, emerged, and opened the barrel to reveal several levels in what might be described as a child’s doll house. This heralded an extended period of verbal fencing fueled by the Brewmaster’s beer consumption between the sophisticated bourgeoisie Vaněk and the proletariat Brewmaster.

The Brewmaster continually goaded and antagonized Vaněk, seemingly to trap him into saying something that might criticize the communist party or factory leadership. But Vaněk was stalwart. While the Brewmaster tried to weaken his resolve with alcohol consumption, Vaněk surreptitiously poured most of the beer back into the Brewmaster’s mug.

Projection above the stage, simulating surveillance that was common in Communist Czechoslovakia. Photo by Jonathan Slaff
Projection above the stage, simulating surveillance that was common in Communist Czechoslovakia. Photo by Jonathan Slaff

The use of stringed marionettes, puppets, and full-sized masks in portraying this story was extraordinary. Theresa Linnihan and Vít Hořejš deftly managed the puppets as multiple cameras zoomed in on the action and projected it on a large screen set on stage left. The screen on stage right continually portrayed in black and white scenes from the perspectives of Kam 1, Kam 2, Kam 3, and Kam 4, which initially seemed to represent a reality of the material world perceptible to the senses, as expounded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their dialectical materialism. It also represented monitoring by an oppressive government that seems to see and hear everything.

Mechanical puppets staged in the miniature scenes in the beer barrel were activated by Linnihan. As the Brewmaster became increasingly belligerent and frustrated by Vaněk’s continued composure and politesse, larger, more intimidating marionettes replaced the smaller ones. The play ended with a life-sized masked caricature sported by the Brewmaster. Our hero Vaněk prevailed.

Vít Hořejš as Vaněk, giant Brewmaster puppet, Theresa Linnihan as Brewmaster. Photo by Jonathan Slaff
Vít Hořejš as Vaněk, giant Brewmaster puppet, Theresa Linnihan as Brewmaster. Photo by Jonathan Slaff

The theater was packed, and the cast was rewarded with multiple curtain calls. Patrons chuckled and sighed as the story unfolded. Audience was presented with fine acting, powerful multi-dimensional visuals, cultural significance, context and import, rich vigilance, and irony. Lighting was simple and effective, audio-visuals were seamless and informative, the costumes and marionettes were well-crafted, and sound and sound effects ably supported the aural palate. How one’s eyes were drawn from the actors to the miniatures, screens, marionettes, puppets, and masks was astonishing.

AUDIENCE

by Václav Havel (World Premiere)
Translated and Directed by Vít Hořejš

Cast

Theresa Linnihan as The Brewmaster
Vít Hořejš as Ferdinand Vaněk

Artistic

Production Design: Alan Barnes Netherton
Marionettes: Miloš Kasal, Jakub “Kuba” Krejčí
Costumes, Vaněk, and Brewmaster marionettes: Theresa Linnihan
News Reel: Suzanna Halsey
Spy: Kika Von Klück
Production Stage Manager: Rebecca Werner
Lighting Designer: Izzy Olgaard
Light Board Operator: Eric Sanford
Producer: Bonnie Sue Stein/GOH Productions
Rehearsal Director: Maxim Tumenev
Program Manager: Katarina Vizina
Production Assistant: Lanier Long
Video Consultants: CultureHub

Runtime 80 minutes with no intermission

Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre/GOH Productions
309 4th St, Suite 3B, New York, NY 10009
 info@czechmarionettes.org  www.czechmarionettes.org

La MaMa
Ellen Stewart Theatre
66 East 4th St., New York, NY 10003

646.430.5374
web@lamama.org
https://www.lamama.org/

Tickets at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/42

Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Gemma Trattoria, Radio MacbethLove Online, and The Orchestra Now at the Rose Theater

More to explore...

Andre Royo in Audible Theater's production of "Drinking in America," written by Eric Bogosian and directed by Mark Armstrong. Off-Broadway / Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane, NYC). Photo (c) Jeremy Daniel

Drinking in America at the Minetta Lane Theater

Royo delivered a resounding performance, transforming into over 12 characters experiencing the stages of alcoholism and its effects on each character’s interaction with himself and others. At times, it’s hard to tell who Man is, as his toxic masculinity dominates and elevates with the abuse of alcohol.

MasterVoices presents O HOW GOOD at the Central Synagogue. Ted Sperling, conductor. Credit Photo: Joe Carrotta

MasterVoices Presents a Concert of Jewish Sacred Music at Central Synagogue

Tonight’s O How Good was a celebration of the life of MasterVoices board member Lois Conway and the years of philanthropy and insightful leadership characterizing her service. The venue chosen for this event was inspiring and magnificent and set in New York City’s Central Synagogue, a stunning example of Moorish Revival architecture and a testament to the beauty and richness of Jewish tradition and culture.

COMMENTS

AUDIENCE by Václav Havel

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x