What or who was the inspiration for the creation of this production?
Jan Mikulasek: The main source of inspiration were the letters between Voskovec and Werich, their lives and work.

 

What is the core political issue you are grappling with in the play?
Jan: Every ideology that separates instead connects, that builds fences and borders instead of taking them down, is dangerous and inhuman. Such an ideology prevented Werich and Voskovec from being and working together. However, our performance is not political, it speaks mainly about a very strong friendship that survived the obstacles and cruelties of that time.

 

How do you think Vaclav Havel still influences theater creation in Europe?
Jan: Vaclav Havel was a unique playwright; nevertheless, for today's Europe his moral and political legacy is more important.

Who are your mentors? Where do you draw on your inspiration to create your work?
Jan: My role models are directors whose works are dominated by visual elements and who do not stick to the realistic theater. I look for inspiration also in film and visual arts. I work closely with stage designer Marek Cpin, who encourages my imagination, and then there are always the actors who inspire me.

What is your favorite moment in the show?
J an: I like the parts where actors manage to tell serious themes through playful clown humor.

Anezka Kubatova: There are many moments like that. I like the closing scene when Werich and Voskovec are sitting together, connected by life-long friendship, bent under worries, years, yet singing together, each in a slightly different key. 

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