• 14/03/2022
  • By wizewebsite
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Karel Hvíždala: Jiří Srnec, cultural pentathlete Plus<

"What our theater company does has nothing to do with magic. It's more about magic. A trick that exploits the imperfections of the human eye - that black on black becomes invisible - has been used in nature since time immemorial. The black theater, which probably started in ancient China, was still a long way from the black theater we do, "added Srnec.

Antelopes. Black Theater Image: Black Theater Image

He often repeated these words in discussions when asked how the so-called black theater, with which he traveled the whole world, arose. Mr. Srnec was born on August 29, 1931 in Žalov, this year he was 90 years old.

He graduated from a graphic school, studied piano and folk instruments at the Conservatory of Music and at the Theater Academy of Performing Arts, and at the Puppet Department of Scenography. He later said, "Black theater would certainly look different if I didn't attend one of these schools."

And he was certainly right, Jiří Srnec was a cultural pentathlete: He was a director, set designer, artist, composer and manager.

Game of objects

Karel Hvíždala: Jiří Srnec, kulturní pětibojař | Plus

I first saw him at the Na Zábradlí Theater in 1958, and he soon gained worldwide acclaim at the first international theater festival in Edinburgh, Great Britain. At that time, their ensemble had ten members, and they returned to the festival with a contract that guaranteed them participation in five other festivals: in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Australia, and a few others in Western Europe.

Jiří Srnec photo: Pavla Kopřivová

The hitherto unknown effect of a black luminescent theater with luminous elements, which consisted in the play of objects and things such as chairs, a stick, luggage, suitcases or bread and a knife with which one can cut and hurt someone, proved to be an effect he understands. people around the world.

Only the reaction of the audience, as Jiří Srnec sometimes emphasized, was different: In Japan, for example, there was complete silence during the performance, people were sitting as if chained, and when someone moved their legs, it was heard throughout the space. And at the end of the show, the audience always applauded and showed enthusiasm.

The opposite is true in Latin America, where people rioted throughout the show and the actors felt like football.

At home they collaborated with the Semafor, Laterna Magika and Spejbl and Hurvínek theaters, and abroad with the Munich State Opera. Of their productions, I would at least mention Striped Dream, Alice in Wonderland, Dream Week and White Pierot in Black.

Karel Hvížďala photo: Kateřina Cibulka, Czech Radio Plus

In 1991, Jiří Srnec founded and led the ensemble Imaginativ Praha. He had a rehearsal room in Zbraslav and in recent years he has also performed in Prague at the Broadway Theater Na Příkopech. Abroad, his theater saw five million spectators. He was awarded the Medal of Merit for his artistic contribution and was last awarded the Thalia Award in 2018.

He died on November 28, 2021.

The author is a publicist