Přehled o publikaci

The publication deals with Evžen Sokolovský’s production at the Mahen Theatre in the years 1959–1967. At that time Sokolovský together with his collaborators, artist director Miloš Hynšt and dramaturgist Bořivoj Srba, created a programme of political anti-illusionary theatre there. The programme developed principles of Brecht’s Epic Theatre and continued reference of Russian and Czech avant-garde, especially Poetic Theatre of E. F. Burian. Finally, they came to Antonin Artaud’s conception of Total Theatre. This programme was purposefully opposing Krejča’s group in Prague National Theatre which was mostly cultivating more or less psychological-realistic movement of theatre by staging plays of „Čechov“ movement. The study is focused on the analysis of Evžen Sokolovský’s directional methods which are discussed in five general chapters according to the basic elements of stage production: dramaturgy, stage setting, music, dramatic art and direction. There is also an opening chapter that sets Sokolovský’s work in the context of contemporary Czech Theatre and in the programme of Political Theatre of Mahen Theatre Play mentioned above. This fact is contemplated in the whole thesis which analyses the progression and influence of this programme on Sokolovský’s directional work as well as the inspirational authorities (especially Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud) who influenced Sokolovský’s productions.