Ballet

Ondrej Šoth, Zuzana Mistríková, Václav Janeček: NOČNÁ SKÚŠKA - PRÍPRAVA NA MUZIKÁL

Theatre is a strange organism. To the uninitiated ones it may look like an alchemist‘s workshop. Various people in it mix the unlikeliest of ingredients to produce a rare thing. A staging which would allow the actors and the audience to experience that exceptional feeling – that they have right here, right now witnessed (and co-created) an unrepeatable artistic experience.

The authors of Nočná skúška (Night Rehearsal) have decided to take the audience backstage. They are not the first ones, of course. Perhaps the most famous literary glimpse into what precedes the theatrical first night is the novella by Karel Čapek, How A Play is Produced (“The first night is but the final expression of despairing resolution to allow the whole affair to take its own course, come what may.”).

Nočná skúška, however, would also like to pay tribute to the professionalism of those who represent the foundation of the theatre – actors, singers and dancers. In the words of Rainer Lewandowski: “Actors are the basis of the theatre, after all. Night after night they come before you and go out on a limb. Night after night a new challenge, a new trial. And yet, nothing is ever certain. In that lies the cruelty of this occupation. And its beauty at the same time.” (In: Tonight Neither Hamlet).

A professional life of a dancer is enormously demanding. It is based on a physical exertion and is limited by age. As any other performer, a dancer depends on “who asks him to dance” – whether he will be offered a job which allows him to show what he can do. Whether the peak of his dancing career turns up just in time for the particular theatre to make use of it. Thus it appears that Nočná skúška primarily pays tribute to dancers. It smilingly shows the mishaps which they sometimes have to overcome, but also their art and beauty.