about the production
Melancholy of Resistance by The Ján Palárik Theatre in Trnava brings to Divadelná Nitra a precariously pressing reminder of how thin the line is between anarchy and totalitarianism that affects Slovakia right here and right now. It shows a society tested by recurring crises, dysfunctional institutions and the breakdown of fundamental values. That ultimately encourages people to reach for radical responses. The adaptation of the novel by the Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai, the Man Booker Prize laureate, is directed by Roman Polák, one of the foremost Slovak stage directors. It offers a deep reflection on social decline and the fragility of democracy. Thirty years after its last performance at Divadelná Nitra, the Trnava ensemble makes the Festival comeback with a pressing warning. Polák’s directorial approach transforms Krasznahorkai’s complex, longwinded sentences and apocalyptic visions into a visually impressive stage language. The story focuses on a Hungarian town where pandemonium – delayed trains, stopped clocks, accumulating waste – reflects the breakdown of social order. Polák uses the allegory of the stuffed whale that arrives with a circus as a metaphor for false saviours who incite public hysteria. The struggle for truth and harmony at a time when society is spiralling into fanaticism is embodied by two lone rebels – the former music school principal Mr Eszter and the postman Valuska. Krasznahorkai’s work, celebrated for its unique narrative style and existential earnestness, finds a universal message in Polák’s production.
The threat to democracy, manipulation of the masses and loss of critical thinking are the reasons why Melancholy of Resistance is the main representative of Slovak repertory theatre in the curatorial selection of the main programme.
creators
direction: Roman Polák
dramaturgy: Martina Mašlárová, Lucia Mihálová
set design: Juraj Poliak
costumes design: Martin Kotúček
puppet design: Miriam Horňáková
choreography: Stanislava Vlk Vlčeková
music: Marián Lejava, Jozef Vlk
vocals: Miešaný spevácky zbor Tirnavia
cast: Vladimír Jedľovský, Michal Jánoš, Tatiana Kulíšková, Branislav Matuščin, Daniela Gudabová, Lukáš Herc, Martin Hronský, Tomáš Mosný, Braňo Mosný, Matúš Beniak, Martin Kochan, Miroslav Beňuš, Ingrid Timková
director
Roman Polák
After graduating from the Academy of Performing Arts in 1982, Mr Polák was with the drama company of the State Theatre in Košice and, from 1984, with the SNP Theatre in Martin. His most acclaimed productions in Martin includeTouches and Connections (originally entitled title Spor, 1988) by P. de Marivaux and Brecht. Baal (1989) was a success at festivals in Wroclaw, Toruń, Edinburgh and others. The production Touches and Connections even received The Guardian Critics’ Choice. The period of 1990–1996 was particularly noticeable by his cooperation with national theatres in Bratislava, Prague and Brno. Since 1990, he has been working with the ASTORKA Korzo’90 Theatre, first as a visiting stage director and, from 1996 to 2000, and from 2005 onwards as an in-house stage director. His momentous productions include: F. Švantner – R. Polák Nevesta hôľ (SNP Martin Theatre, 1986), T. Rózewicz Pasca (Divadlo SNP Martin, 1986), P. de Marivaux Triumf lásky (The Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra, 1991), K. Horák Divný Janko (Apokalypsa podľa Janka /Kráľa/) (SNP Martin Theatre, 1994), K. Horák “…. príď kráľovstvo Tvoje…” (SNP Martin Theatre, 1996), stage adaptation of Kafka’s The Process (Polák – Porubjak, 1992), a joint project with the L+S Studio the Rostand Cyrano de Bergerac (with M. Lasica in the lead role, 1993), Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (1994), Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya (1995), Dostoevsky’s Double Axe Murder in St. Petersburg (1999), Play Gorky (2004). Mr Polák also repeatedly stage operatic works: At the State Theatre in Košice Puccini’s Tosca and Mozart’s Don Giovanni; Eugen Suchoň’s Krútňava, 2010 and Ján Cikker’s Coriolanus at the State Opera in Banská Bystrica. He also worked with theatres abroad, such as in Tallinn or Chicago. Mr Polák is laureate of multiple awards work, e.g. the Crystal Wing in the theatre and film category (2007). The Minister of Culture awarded him the 2010 Ministry of Culture Award. Several of his productions received the DOSKY Award (e.g. Les, Coriolanus). Mr Polák has also directed several televised films. In 2000–2002 he was the artistic director of the State Theatre Košice drama company. In 2006–2008 and 2013–2018 he was stage director of the Slovak National Theatre Drama Company. He currently lectures at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava and freelance stage director.