Programme and tickets
The Hopeful Brothers9+
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.
Hunt for Jednorozec10+
The main character is Mr. Jednorozec, it means the Unicorn in Czech. He was innocent, yet he got rid of liberty and imprisoned, so he decided to escape. And then began the manhunt (the Unicornhunt if you wish) who gallops alone through wild landscapes, conquering various pitfalls of fate and snares of his enemy. On his way to freedom he meets a villain and a liar Slepička, for a moment Jednorozec finds his family and finally his love, Olinka. Around him slowly tightens the loop… But our brave Jednorozec runs away!
Musical and artistic production created in collaboration with the civic association Post Bellum in occasion of the 20th anniversary of the the Iron Curtain downfall.
Dalibor Mucha and Tomáš Vychytil won a prize for the music at the festival Skupa´s Pilsen 2010.
Appropriate age 10 years or older
Duration 65 minutes without intermission
Premiere 15 November, 2009
TUČŇÁCI
Hunt for Jednorozec10+
The main character is Mr. Jednorozec, it means the Unicorn in Czech. He was innocent, yet he got rid of liberty and imprisoned, so he decided to escape. And then began the manhunt (the Unicornhunt if you wish) who gallops alone through wild landscapes, conquering various pitfalls of fate and snares of his enemy. On his way to freedom he meets a villain and a liar Slepička, for a moment Jednorozec finds his family and finally his love, Olinka. Around him slowly tightens the loop… But our brave Jednorozec runs away!
Musical and artistic production created in collaboration with the civic association Post Bellum in occasion of the 20th anniversary of the the Iron Curtain downfall.
Dalibor Mucha and Tomáš Vychytil won a prize for the music at the festival Skupa´s Pilsen 2010.
Appropriate age 10 years or older
Duration 65 minutes without intermission
Premiere 15 November, 2009
ČERNÝ PARTYZÁN
Mystery of the Conundrum8+
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
Mystery of the Conundrum8+
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
It was a joke!9+
An interactive performance based on forum theater technique
To have the opportunity to tease someone can be very tempting. Especially, if it can bring you admiration of your friends. Especially in your class! Especially in front of the teacher! Especially, when you can!
Where is the line between fun, impertinence and bullying? What is acceptable in behavior towards classmates and teachers, and what is too much?
In our story children meet with characters who keep breaking the boundaries until something happens…
The program of the workshop
1. Introduction to the topic of bullying (in the form of activation games and exercises)
2. Viewing of short themed story (theater performance)
3. Searching for different solutions to the story (taking the place of the character and acting on his or her behalf)
4. Reflection on the experience and topic (discussion and closing group activity)
Forum theater is a technique that teaches us in key moments to look for different solutions and act accordingly. What are my options of changing something? In our story children uncover situations in which the course of action could have been taken differently and better, and by stepping into the characters’ shoes they have the chance to change the outcome of the story for the better.
Forum theater is an educational system based on working with a pre-prepared theater performance played by professional actors. The goal is to transfer the notion that if children can change the course of events on the stage, they are capable of doing the same in real life.
The performance It was only a joke!was co-created by the actors, director, psychologist, and expert on children’s education. The project was initiated due to the increase of aggression and bullying at schools that teachers are often victims of also. During discussions on the topic educationalists showed interest in the particular concept of theater performance.
Target audience: grade 3 – 5
Number of attendees: 45 children/ 2 classes
Duration: 90 minutes
This performance is presented on the Small Stage of Minor Theater.
It was a joke!9+
An interactive performance based on forum theater technique
To have the opportunity to tease someone can be very tempting. Especially, if it can bring you admiration of your friends. Especially in your class! Especially in front of the teacher! Especially, when you can!
Where is the line between fun, impertinence and bullying? What is acceptable in behavior towards classmates and teachers, and what is too much?
In our story children meet with characters who keep breaking the boundaries until something happens…
The program of the workshop
1. Introduction to the topic of bullying (in the form of activation games and exercises)
2. Viewing of short themed story (theater performance)
3. Searching for different solutions to the story (taking the place of the character and acting on his or her behalf)
4. Reflection on the experience and topic (discussion and closing group activity)
Forum theater is a technique that teaches us in key moments to look for different solutions and act accordingly. What are my options of changing something? In our story children uncover situations in which the course of action could have been taken differently and better, and by stepping into the characters’ shoes they have the chance to change the outcome of the story for the better.
Forum theater is an educational system based on working with a pre-prepared theater performance played by professional actors. The goal is to transfer the notion that if children can change the course of events on the stage, they are capable of doing the same in real life.
The performance It was only a joke!was co-created by the actors, director, psychologist, and expert on children’s education. The project was initiated due to the increase of aggression and bullying at schools that teachers are often victims of also. During discussions on the topic educationalists showed interest in the particular concept of theater performance.
Target audience: grade 3 – 5
Number of attendees: 45 children/ 2 classes
Duration: 90 minutes
This performance is presented on the Small Stage of Minor Theater.