National Theatre director pulls the plug on a Prague production over LGBT+ themes
A last-minute decision by the theatre’s new director halts Studio hrdinů’s performance, sparking accusations of censorship and discrimination.
On October 21, the Slovak National Theatre was poised to welcome Prague’s Studio hrdinů for a much-anticipated performance of Měsíčný kámen (Moonstone), a production exploring themes of identity and freedom, but a last-minute decision by the theatre’s new director has thrown the event under the bus, a signature the sole obstacle to its execution.
The external production was supposed to have been part of the Drama Queer festival, an international theatrical showcase focusing on the lives of LGBT+ people. Since 2018, Drama Queer has collaborated with the National Theatre in Bratislava, utilising it as one of its performance venues, reports Denník N daily.
However, Zuzana Ťapáková, the new director of the National Theatre, has decided not to sign the contract for this particular performance.
“Zuzana Ťapáková rejected this production, and we must cancel the guest appearance of Studio hrdinů, as we have no alternative venue meeting the technical requirements for its presentation,” said Róbert Pakan, director of the Drama Queer Festival, now in its twelfth year.
Cancelled ahead of significant anniversary
According to festival organisers, this is an international scandal involving three countries.
“I personally consider it censorship; it appears to be discrimination, and worse still, it’s an international scandal,” Pakan said. “It’s a scandal against Iceland, as this production is based on a text by the prominent Icelandic poet, lyricist, and writer Sjón, who has written for artists like Björk.”
The incident comes just days before the second anniversary of the terrorist attack on Zámocká Street in Bratislava, where a radicalised high school student murdered two queer individuals outside an LGBT+ bar and injured a third. His primary target was then-prime minister Eduard Heger.
Ťapáková has been leading the theatre since August 27, appointed by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, known for her repeated homophobic remarks and misinformation, following the dismissal of Matej Drlička from the position of general director in early August. Ťapáková asserts her responsibility as a statutory body for the institution’s operations.
“I certainly will not sign contracts two to three weeks before any guest performances or festival participation; that is unacceptable for a theatre where planning occurs six months, a year, or even two years in advance,” she stated.
However, people within the National Theatre disagree with her. Miriam Kičiňová, director of the National Theatre’s drama company, noted that the time available for signing the contract—more than four weeks before the event—was more than adequate. She added that Ťapáková did not consult them about her decision.
National Theatre unhappy about Ťapáková’s decision
Discussions regarding the hosting of the Czech theatre’s performance had been ongoing since March.
“As a drama company, we must first apologise for the decision that disrupted the hosting and stand by our partners from Drama Queer and Studio hrdinů. If circumstances allow, we will attempt to present the production on a rescheduled date,” Kičiňová said, as quoted by Sme daily.
Ťapáková has stated that Studio hrdinů may host performances at the National Theatre in the future. However, this decision has also drawn criticism from Slovak actors within the National Theatre.
“It is the greatest shame; it is undignified and only confirms the shared vision of the new director and the culture minister,” actress Táňa Pauhofová said.
Měsíční kámen explores the inner world of a lonely anti-hero, whose fate is shaped by sexual orientation and a lack of familial support. The overarching theme is one of freedom and independence for an individual who embraces their “otherness” as a natural state, living as an autonomous human being, irrespective of societal judgement.
“Certainly, homosexuality is an obstacle, which seems insane to me,” remarked Jan Horák, director of Studio hrdinů, regarding the reasons for the contract’s non-signature.
The Slovak initiative Otvorená kultúra! (Open Culture!), which opposes the government’s cultural policies enforced through the current leadership of the Culture Ministry, also thinks that the cancellation is due to the play addressing LGBT+ issues.
“The real reason for not signing the contract is the fact that the production is part of the Drama Queer festival and contains homoerotic scenes.”
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