Event

"AUDIENCE" By Vaclav Havel

Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre will reprise its 2021 marionette production of "Audience" by Vaclav Havel, translated and directed by Vit Horejs, September 1 to 3 at 7:30pm and Sept. 4 at 3:00pm at the Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street. The production celebrates the legacy of Vaclav Havel as The Czech Republic takes over the six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).

This production is presented by Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre in collaboration with Vaclav Havel Library Foundation. $20 tickets include a $3 donation toward Ukrainian humanitarian relief, through People In Need, a Czech NGO (https://www.peopleinneed.net/).

"Audience," a dark comedy of spying in a brewery, is staged with live projected closeups of puppets from security cameras in order to suggest surveillance. In the last decade, such use of video has been employed to adapt marionette theater for large houses. The production's concept is by Vit Horejs and Theresa Linnihan, who act the play together.

The play "Audience" reflects on the time when Havel had to work in a brewery as penance for writing critically of the Czechoslovak communist government. He ultimately went from prison to the castle, becoming president of Czechoslovakia.

Vit Horejs plays Vanek and Theresa Linnihan plays the Brewmaster. Production design is by Alan Barnes Netherton. Marionettes are by Milos Kasal and Jakub "Kuba" Krejci. Costumes and the Vanek marionette are by Theresa Linnihan. Producer is Bonnie Sue Stein/GOH Productions.