Czech theatres were forbidden to play on stage still in the early stages of the pandemic. But this did not prevent the actors to take a seat in the Parking lot of a large vegetable market in Prague, and the audience – in their cars. From decorations – an improvised stage and two portable spotlights. No tickets and a staggered Seating arrangement.
Czech Republic imposed more stringent restrictions than most European countries to fight the pandemic Covid-19. Within a few weeks, the Czechs were forbidden to even jog without a mask. Now wearing them is still necessary, although some of the restrictions the government has weakened. And this, in turn, gave impetus to creativity. Albeit in unexpected forms.
Highly ambitious example is the “theatre on wheels” in Prague’s vegetable market. In order not to violate the restrictions on public Assembly, the national theatre, plays performances on an improvised stage with minimum scenery (often none at all) and costumes, as spectators watch the performance right behind the wheel. The scheme is very reminiscent of auto-theater. Just before the cars is not huge projection, but real people.
Cars have become a great way to bypass restrictions of a pandemic. For example, Europe is actively using their mobile for Nightclubs or churches. Although initially they were considered a dead idea, their distribution suggests otherwise. This is a great way out, until a vaccine against coronavirus.
For themselves as actors, the experience was rather strange mixture of excitement and fear. Peter Vancura, one of the performers evening performance, then wrote on his page on Facebook: “I was very nervous when I got on stage. Because in front of you the faces and quizzical looks, but 30 automotive hoods with glowing headlights. Only then, when they were out, I began to distinguish the smiles on the faces through the windshield”.
This project was invented at the end of March Karel Kratochvile, actor children’s theatre troupe in Prague. He could not accept the fact that the blockade has devastated all forms of cultural life, including its own productions. Just as doctors take care of people’s health, he considered it his duty to take care of their emotional well being.
“For me the actor is not a job, but something higher, says Kratochvil. It means to take on some responsibility for society.” To carry out a heroic mission he first made our own street show. Karel read literary excerpts from a small boat moored under the famous medieval pedestrian bridge in the centre of Prague. But a few days about it only stopped one person. So Kratochvila had to think further.
a few days later he woke up with a completely new idea. What if people will watch spectac��and the comfort of the car as in special drive-in theater? But he himself Karel does not know how to drive. But that’s just a detail.
a few days later he founded the “Art-Parking”, the festival, which includes not only theater on wheels, but similar cinema. Ambitious artist invited independent companies and large theatres with state funding, like the National theatre of Prague. And a week on a makeshift stage were folk singers, classical violinists, rock guitarists and dramatic artists. By the end of month 11 000 people have visited 28 different genres of representations.
at First it was unclear whether the actors wear masks. Since they work in public, the law technically requires a closed mouth and nose. But on the first performance of the singer at the last moment decided to do without a mask, and the police did not intervene.
“We go on stage to play for cars – says the playwright Tomas of Dianiska, which is specially for the festival, wrote the play. – It is certainly an interesting experience. But I hope it will end soon. You don’t see people. They even laugh the horns!”
the Goal of “Art-Parking” is not in the virtuosity of what is happening. “We need to maintain at least some form of human interaction,” explains Kratochvil. – Let the repertoire leaves much to be desired. And the rain often spoils the impression. It is certainly better online”.
as to the audience, then there will be opinions for every taste. For theater critics, like Marie Rakovoi, which is used to look at 30 plays a month, it all seems “naive parody.” “It was awful. Out of the car, heard nothing. Have to open the Windows wide open and freeze. And because of the rain, nothing seen. And to go then Parking is impossible,” writes Marie in my review.
But the marketing consultant Jan Besplato enjoyed it. “I was just driving by and decided to look. This is much better than watching the performances on the Internet. But there is one problem. The horns took its toll – the battery is completely discharged”.
