Interview with Michal Duckal - Czech Republic
- מאמר המערכת
- 25 באוק׳
- זמן קריאה 3 דקות
Czech director Michal Dočekal has directed three productions of Hadar Galron's play "Mikveh" in Europe, on major stages. He was previously the head of the European Directors' Union, and is currently the artistic director of the Municipal Theater in Prague.
Interviewer: Rami Samo.
What made you choose the play "Mikveh" for the first production you directed at the NARODNI DIVADLO - the National Theater in Prague?
I received the play, without seeing the Israeli production, from the dramaturg when I was the artistic director of the theater. I thought it would have to be in our studio hall, about 100 seats, because no one here knows the world of the Orthodox Jewish communities. Since I wanted to cast IVA JANZUROVA - one of the greatest and most beloved actresses we have here in the Czech Republic, and last season I had already done a studio production with her, I realized that it was impossible to give her a leading role again in a small hall, so I took a risk, saying to myself, "Okay, there are great roles for actresses here, and I hope it will last a season, a season and a half at most!" The production ran for over 10 seasons, and even in the last performance the hall (close to 1000 seats) was full.
I understand that you didn't foresee the success of the production...
Absolutely not! It was a complete surprise! And the success in Prague also brought the productions to Bratislava and Budapest. The production in Budapest has been running for nine years, and is still running, and from what I understand every show SOLD OUT. Over the years, there have been two more productions of "Mikva" in the Czech Republic, and after "Mikva" was performed at the National Theater, there are three new productions here in one year. I'm sure "Mikva" will run on stages here for at least another decade.
"Mikve" was also performed in Mexico, Toronto, Washington... What do you think is the secret to the play's international success?
"Mikveh" is an Orthodox female version of the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - you know? The classic Western film. A group of desperate people who decide to follow their hearts, even when it seems like a losing battle. It is an archetypal story - very touching, witty, gripping and of course, very dramatic. What else do you need in the theater? Oh! And of course the gender issue. Very important. Most of the tickets to the theater are purchased by women, the men follow their decision. This story is by a woman, about women and intended for women, and as I understand today (then I was at the beginning of my journey) - it does not matter whether these women are Jewish, Catholic or atheist. The need to find the unique female voice and make it heard is critical for women everywhere. And the women connected, and brought their partners, many of whom also connected.
You talked about atheists, and indeed most Czechs define themselves as such. But I heard that there is some urban legend attributed to a production at the National Theater... Can you share it with the Israeli audience?
Okay, so during the years of production, 14 babies were born to the actresses in the cast! (Here in the Czech Republic, this is not common). In the first year alone, there were three pregnancies. So a belief began here that actresses who wanted to get pregnant should accept a role in Galron's "Mikveh". Can you imagine how many times I had to cast, and rehearse with a new cast?
And you believe it has to do with the show?
Of course I believe it has to do with the holy mikveh that helped these babies come into the world, may God protect them, but for me it was a nightmare! By the way, we didn't have a "kosher" mikveh, it was just a setting. But the theater itself is a mystical and magical place, and the entire last decade with "Mikveh" has been a mystical and exciting journey. I have a lot to be grateful for Hadar and her mikveh.