The Reception of Anglo-American Drama on Pilsen’s Stages during the Great War

Abstract

During the Great War, theatre became an effective channel of communication and a means of encouragement. In times of economic difficulties and political paralysis, theatrical productions were designed to arouse Czech national consciousness. The Pilsen repertoire was oriented particularly towards classical works of national literature (e.g., Klicpera, Tyl, Jirásek, and Vrchlický) and democratic drama (e.g., Shaw). Considerable theatrical space was also devoted to Shakespeare’s plays. One of the greatest theatrical achievements was the Shakespeare festival in the spring of 1916, which took place in Prague and in many other Czech theatres. Thanks to Počepický (director) and Karen (chief protagonist), it expressed its distinctive character on Pilsen’s stages as well. The Shakespearean play cycle naturally had both artistic and political implications in terms of the desire for an independent state. Shakespeare thus became, figuratively speaking, an inspirer and co-creator of Czech national history. This article describes the amount and nature of Anglo-American drama staged at the Municipal Theatre in Pilsen during the Great War. Applying a chronological approach, it attempts to trace the reception of particular productions (e.g., The Merchant of Venice, Captain Brassbound, The Tempest, Androcles and the Lion, Hamlet, and Venice Preserved) in theatre reviews published in the local daily newspapers Český deník [The Czech Daily] and Nová doba [The New Time] between the years 1914 and 1918. The article thus contributes to a better understanding of the history of Czech theatre alongside Czech national history.