How we played for the republic

Our grandparents used to tell us that “Those who play never go astray”, but did you know that you can actually become a hero by playing and acting? Come and find out how in this story about four brothers who were puppeteers and members of the Czechoslovak Legion and were so brave that they managed to play puppet theatre even when they were in great danger. They helped establish the independent Czechoslovak Republic, so it’s thanks to them that we can play here today, proudly and bravely, just as Antonín, Matěj, Vojta and Jindra Kopecký did back then.

Based on a true story.

Jan Jirků has created numerous productions on historical topics for Minor  (Hunt for Jednorožec, Lipany, Zá-to-pek!), in which he brings the stories to life for family audiences through a compelling portrayal of the lead characters’ life stories. This time he looks at the lives of the Kopecký brothers, who played puppet theatre even during the First World War and whose puppetry skills brought joy to others in situations we can only begin to imagine.

Strobe lighting is used in this production!

For schools we offer an accompanying educational workshop entitled Soldiers’ Watch.

The production was awarded the Theatre Critics’ Prize for the stage design by Jakub Kopecký.

At the Skupova Plzeň 2022 festival this production won four awards – one for the script and direction by Jan Jirků, one for the stage design by Jakub Kopecký, one for the music by Jiří Hradil, and four for outstanding performances by actors Václav Jelínek, Bořek Joura, Pavol Smolárik and Gustav Hašek.

Actor Gustav Hašek won the 2022 Thalia Award in the puppet theatre category. Pavol Smolárik and Václav Jelínek were shortlisted in the same category, while Radka Pavlovčinová, Bořek Joura and Ondřej Nosálek were also nominated.

Jan Jirků and Jakub Kopecký won the Theatre News Award 2022 in the Puppet and artistic theatre category.

The production was also awarded the 2022 Erik Prize at the One Flew over the Puppeteer’s Nest festival.

Première 22 September 2021
Suitable for ages 9 and above.
Performance duration 1 hour 35 minutes including interval. 

Thirty thousand spectators shouted this name in Helsinki in 1952 as he ran into the stadium as the first runner in a marathon run to win his third long-distance gold medal. Everyone around the world is able to run, but only he managed to run to win three times at one Olympic Games. 5km. 10km. Marathon. Nobody before or after could do that as long as the world exists. It is quite possible that nobody would be able to do it again. How interesting is it? How interesting is that person? How interesting is the time period in which he lived?

Recommended to viewers of 8 years of age and older
Duration 1 hour 30 minutes including the intermission Premiere 6 October, 2019.

Foglar’s legendary stories come to life again! On the Other Side a mysterious drawing of a conundrum appears on a chipped wall. Who painted it there and why? Rapid Arrows decide to cross the Dividing  Avenue and venture into the dark Shades to puzzle out the mystery. What will they discover, you wonder? Let’s join them for the adventurous and dangerous journey to uncover many secrets. Who was the mysterious Jan Tleskač? Will Rapid Arrows manage to get the blue print of his peculiar invention? Will they reveal the identity of the masked figure? And who will be elected as the High Vont? These are only a few of the many questions that are yet again waiting to be answered.

Premiere 15 October, 2017
Appropriate age 8 years or older
Duration 2h including intermission