Theatre Spejbl and Hurvínek (http://www.spejbl-hurvinek.cz/england/enhlavni.html) A BIT OF HISTORY The Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre was established by Professor Josef Skupa (1892-1957) in Pilsen, western Bohemia in 1930. It was the first modern professional marionette theatre. Its protagonists, Spejbl and Hurvínek, had already gained populairty in amateur marionette show performed in Pilsen cabarets. The theatre was active as touring company until 1943. In January 1944, Josef Skupa was arrested by the Nazis for antifascist resistance activities and the theatre was closed. Skupa succeeded in escaping from a Dresden prison which was being bombed by Allied forces in February 1945. After the war, in October 1945, he opened the Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre (S+H Theatre) in Prague where the ensemble has remained until today.

After Skupa´s death in 1957, the roles of Spejbl and Hurvínek were taken over by Miloš Kirschner (1927-1996). Kirschner had already played both main chracters before Skupa´s death. At the end of his life, Professor Skupa wrote an open letter in which he designated Miloš Kirschner as his successor. Hence, even after Skupa´s passing, Spejbl and Hurvínek reiterated their raison d´etre and the theatre successfully continued its artistic efforts aimed at depicting the world and its complicated social problems through grotesque humour and satire. The Spebjl and Hurvínek Theatre has presented about 250 premieres of mostly original comedies written for children and also adults which combine visual and musical settings with the dialogues of Spejbl and Hurvínek.

WOODEN PROTAGONISTS

The principal characters seen in all performances of the theatre are Spejbl and Hurvínek, father and son, who represent two generations, each with a different view of the world. Spejbl first appeared on stage in 1920, Hurvínek followed six years later. Being the main characters in realistic and fantastic stories, they comment and philosophize about various issues in structured visual shows. Their traditional opponents are Hurvínek´s faithful friend Mánicka (1930) and her pedagogically-minded Granny, Mrs. Katerina Hovorková (1971). These four principal protagonists, along with addtional characters, are accompanied by Žeryk (1930), a dog which belongs to the Spejbls.

AT HOME AND ABROAD

Most of the theatre´s productions are intended for domestic audinces. Every season, however, the ensemble embarks on foreign tours. The Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre has performed in 31 countries on four continents, including states in Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, India, Egypt, Jordan, Mexico and China. During Miloš Kirschner´s era Spejbl and Hurvínek spoke 17 languages, and later during Martin Klásek´s eight languages. Both artists have been accompanied by Helena Štáchová who also performs in foreign languages. She is the third person to play the role of Mánicka. Another character, Mrs. Katerina, was created especially for Štáchová in 1971. After the death of Miloš Kirschner, Helena Štáchová was appointed the director of the Spebjl and Hurvínek Theatre. She is also author and director of plays for adults and children. These prominent artists are accompanied by a team of highly skilled puppeteers who lend the marionettes the art of motion.

PLAYS FOR ADULTS

Helena Štáchová
"Spejbl´s Meaningful Nonsenses"
This play is untraditional both in content and form. It offers surprise and enterainment thanks to the original shapes of the puppets, performance techniques and the fact that the play is based on Spejbl´s and Hurvinek´s search for the meaning of human existence.
(The play is available in French , German, Spanish version)

Helena Štáchová - text and dialogues by Miloš Kirschner and the theatre´s authors
"Spejbl nad Hurvínek Balancing"
The play marks the 50th anniversary of the theatre´s presence in Prague and 65th anniversary of its founding. Based on authentic scenes and dialogues which are reminiscent of times gone by, the audience can follow the theatre´s development from the beginning until the present as well as the atmosphere and historical background which laid the founadtion for its creation.
(The play is available in German.)

PLAYS FOR CHILDREN

Pavel Grym
Tha Fairy Tales for Hurvínek
Hurvínek and Mánicka goes to the world of fairy tales where they meet many personages. After they comprehend the beauty and value of fairy tales they promise that they will keep returning to the fantasy world.

Martin Klásek
Hurvínek and the Mirror
This play presents Hurvínek as a child living in today´s world. From watching TV and action movies he takes the view that attractive appearance is more important than intellectual values. He exercises his muscles infront of a mirror rather than taking care of his education. It is only when his „mental ego“ from the mirror takes him to the world of fairy tales that Hurvínek realizes which values are the most improtant (which will help him to rescue Mánicka from the Hell).
(The play is available in German, Spanish and French)

Helena Štáchová - Denisa Kirschnerová
Hurvínek and Máni?ka Playing Doctor
Playing Doctor is one of the most popular children´s games. This fairy tale takes the form of a children´s musical in which Hurvínek and Mánicka´s home changes into a first aid station. Their services are sought by little animals dissatisfied with their appearance. Later it becomes apparent that the real cause of their discontent is that they feel lonely and unloved.
(This play is available in German)

Team of Authors
Kaleidoscope
This play features dialogues between Spejbl, Hurvínek and Máni?ka as well as musical and visual settings which are based on the tradition of slapstick.
(Available in several languages)

Martin Klásek
Hurvínek and the UFO
This children´s sci-fi fantasy is intended for older children. Hurvínek and Mánicka are kidnapped by an UFO. They are taken into outer space to serve as an example of human civilization. The alien planet where they are taken to is ruled by aggression which Hurvínek has admired after reading about it and seeing it on TV. Being confronted with reality, however, he finds out that violence often turns against those who cause it.
(The play is available in German.)

Helena Štáchová
Hurvínek and his Confused Weekend
A story about a confused weekend afternoon which makes Hurvínek, Spejbl, Mánicka nad Mrs. Katerina feel dizzy, especially due to two little bears who have run away from a circus. The play is filled with pretty songs and funny scenes that will amuse and entertain all children.
(The play is also available in German)

ADDRESS:

Theatre Spejbl and Hurvínek
(Divadlo Spejbla a Hurvínka)
Dejvická 38
Praha 6 - 160 00

http://www.spejbl-hurvinek.cz
spejblhurvinek@volny.cz

BOX OFFICE phone:
224 316 784