The Gypsywood Players*** SINCE 1965 ***The Brno English Department Theatre GroupApril 2013 Update: A few photos have been added, some re-scanned for larger size and/or digitally remastered. Also, a Gypsywood Facebook page is under way, and more! So stay tuned...
 Don Sparling and Jessie Kocmanová This page offers facsimiles of typewritten Gypsywood programmes as well as photographs and other material. Most of it, including the script of the titles, comes directly from the Gypsywood chronicles. Many thanks to students who helped convert the Gypsywood chronicles to the electronic form. Click here for an alphabetical List of Gypsywood Participants (342 names)!Chronological list of Gypsywood Productions:Titles marked [VIDEO] are available in the English Department Library on a VHS casette; however, they can only be watched in the Self Access Center.
1965: The Dear Departed by Stanley Houghton 1965
SPECIAL ATTRACTION!THE CIKHAJ SHIVERERSFOR ONE NIGHTONLY!FRESH FROM THE TERRIFIC WORLD-WIDESUCCESSES!!THOUSANDS TURNED AWAY NIGHTLY!!!MAKE SURE OF YOUR SEAT!!!!EVENING DRESS ESSENTIALThe Dear DepartedA Comedy in One Act byStanley HoughtonCast
Characters
Mrs. Amelia Slater Lida Molerová
Sisters
Mrs. Elizabeth Jordan Martina Zoubková
Henry Slater Miroslav Dostál
Their Husbands
Ben Jordan Ivo Semerád
Victoria Slater A Girl of Ten Jana Vorálková
Abel Merryweather Ladislav Drezdovič
Prompter: Miss Blažena Pšurná
(Prompter in the Audience: Miss Lenka Zemanová)
Make Up: Miss Blažena Pšurná
Directed by: Dr. J. Kocmanová, CSc.
1966
(Click here for the actual layout of the first page of the programme transcribed below.)
g i p s y w o o d c o m m u n i t y d r a m a g r o u p
p r o g r a m m e o f p l a y l e t s
amateur absurdity
an adventure in the drama of the absurd
thursday 13th october 1966 at seven-thirty p.m.
p r o g r a m m e
h a r o l d p i n t e r ....... t r o u b l e i n t h e
w o r k s
s c e n e ............ an office in a factory
c a s t
mr. f i b b s .... o w n e r ......... mr. semerád
mr. w i l l s .... m a n a g e r ..... mr. drezdovič
x x x
e d w a r d a l b e e .......... t h e s a n d p i t
s c e n e .... a sea-shore with sandpit in centre
c a s t
y o u n g m a n ... the angel of death ... mr. brídl
m o m m y ........... typical prosperous
d a d d y ........... and selfish american
couple ............... miss rybová
mr. semerád
g r a n n y ......... a feeble but charming
old lady, regarded as
a nuisance by the
above ................ miss nevrlá
m u s i c i a n ..... a necessary, conventional
accompaniment to any
respectable funeral .. mr. antonín
x x x
h a r o l d p i n t e r ........ r e q u e s t s t o p
s c e n e .... a queue at a request bus stop
c a s t
w o m a n ........... an aggressive and sensa-
tion-seeking racialist as
well as what her last words
reveal her in fact
to be ................ miss zoubková
m e m b e r s o f t h e q u e u e .. members of the company
x x x
i n t e r v a l f o r r e c o v e r y r a t h e r t h a n
r e f r e s h m e n t
x x x
h a r o l d p i n t e r ..... t h e l a s t t o g o
s c e n e ................. an all-night coffee stall
c a s t
b a r m a n .......................... mr. drezdovič
n e w s p a p e r s e l l e r ...... mr. brídl
x x x
h a r o l d p i n t e r ........ t h e b l a c k a n d w h i t e
s c e n e .......... the black and white - an all-night milk bar
in fleet street
c a s t
f i r s t o l d w o m a n ........ miss čapounová
s e c o n d o l d w o m a n ...... miss rybová
x x x
h a r o l d p i n t e r ...... t h e a p p l i c a n t
s c e n e ...... an office
c a s t
miss p i f f s ... the essence of efficiency ... miss vorálková
mr. l a m b ...... the applicant ............... mr. antonín
s o u n d e f f e c t s b y c o u r t e s y o f
h l a d k y m o t o r s ltd.
n o t e : the management stresses on behalf of the wardrobe mistress
that any resemblance of costume to garments recognizable by members
of the audience is purely fortuitous and quite unavoidable.
1967 (SPRING)
See the actual layout of the programme.
Thursday, 9th March, 1967 8 p.m.
THE GIPSYWOOD COMMUNITY DRAMA GROUP
THIRD SEASON
E N O R M O U S A T T R A C T I O N !
M Y S T E R Y ! H O R R O R !!! S U S P E N S E !!!!!
Part I: A Little Old-Fashioned Horror
T H E M O N K E Y ' S P A W
by
W. W. Jacobs
Scene I : The comfortable, homely kitchen of a small house in Lovers'
Lane, Fulham, about seventy years ago, on a windy night.
Scene II : The same. A sunny morning, next day.
Scene III: About a week later. Midnight.
CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Mr. White ... A quick-tempered but good-hearted old man
of humble origin ............................. Mr. Šuráň
Mrs. White .. A dear old soul ............................ Miss Nevrlá
Herbert ..... their only son. A fine young fellow,
electrician at the Fulham power-station .... Mr. Antonín
Sgt.-Major Morris ... A one-armed veteran of the British
Army in India. Fond of a yarn, still
fonder of a glass .......................... Mr. Brídl
Mr. Sampson ... Representing the power-station ........... Mr. Růžička
I N T E R V A L
Part II: Some Contemporary Ambiguity. Two plays by
M u r i e l S p a r k
T H E I N T E R V I E W
Scene: The Study of Dame's Lettice's Knighbridge flat. Late afternoon
in winter. Fog.
CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Dame Lettice ... a well-known political figure of the
twenties, now writing her memoirs .... Miss Čapounová
Miss Bone ("Tiggy") ... Her Secretary ................. Miss Rybová
Roy ............. Her Nephew .......................... Mr. Růžička
T H E P A R T Y T H R O U G H T H E W A L L
Scene: A bomb-damaged street in Kensington.
CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
The Narrator (Dr. Fell) ............................... Mr. Brídl
Miss Edith Carson ..................................... Miss Vorálková
Housekeeper ........................................... Miss Nevrlá
The Countess .......................................... Miss Čapounová
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WHO FIND IT ALL TOO MUCH FOR THEM ARE REQUESTED
TO F A I N T Q U I E T L Y IN THEIR SEATS.
1967 (AUTUMN)
T h e G y p s y w o o d P l a y e r s
p r e s e n t
D O C T O R S O F P H I L O S O P H Y
A Play in Three Acts
by
M U R I E L S P A R K
C h a r a c t e r s
CHARLIE DELFONT, University Lecturer in Economics ..... Mr. BRÍDL
"I'm out of pocket with your job"
CATHERINE, his wife, a Grammar-School teacher ......... Miss NEVRLÁ
"I've got as good a degree as Leonora has,
and I didn't go round inviting men to give me a child"
LEONORA, Catherine's cousin, University Lecturer in Greek ...
Miss ČAPOUNOVÁ
"Charlie, give me a child, I wish to conceive a child"
Mrs. S., the daily help ............................... Miss ŽÁDNÁ
"After six years going on seven in an academic
household I've learned to preserve my detachment and
scolarly calm on the other side of the door."
DAPHNE, the Delfonts' Daughter ....................... Miss DROZENOVÁ
"What's the matter with her?"
"Moral arrogance. She's been insufferable since she
was arrested with Bertrand Russell."
CHARLIE BROWN, a great, hulking lorrie driver ........ Mr. DREZDOVIČ
"Lot books you got. I got a book at home,
might interest you."
YOUNG CHARLIE, Daphne's boy friend ................... Mr. ANTONÍN
"Women are women to me, not ideas."
ANNIE WOOD, Catherine's other cousin ................. Miss VORÁLKOVÁ
"I always say, Charlie, it's a woman's world
when all is said and done."
Mrs. WESTON, Young Charlie's Mother .................. Miss DOHNALOVÁ
"You scholars are not realists, that's my theory."
Scene: Charlie Delfont's house overlooking the Regent's Canal, London.
Time: the present. The action takes place during the summer vacation,
over about 3 weeks.
Décor: Miss Vorálková, Senior. Lights: Mr. Semerád. Tape-Recorder: Miss
Kolovratová.
Special Prologue for this occasion only spoken by CHARLIE SMITH.
Electrician: Mr. SEMERÁD.
1968 (SPRING)
T h e G i p s y w o o d P l a y e r s
p r e s e n t
B I L L Y L I A R
B Y
Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall
C A S T
in order of appearance
Florence Boothroyd, Billy's grandmother .......... Miss Žádná
Geoffrey Fisher, his father ...................... Mr. Vičar
Alice Fisher, his mother ......................... Miss Dohnalová
Billy Fisher, "Billy Liar" ....................... Mr. Antonín
Arthur Crabtree, his friend ...................... Mr. Řezníček
Barbara, his fiancée ............................. Miss Drozenová
Rita, his girl friend ............................ Miss Uhdeová
Liz, his true love, perhaps ...................... Miss Štědroňová
Scene: The home of the Fisher family. A typical lower-middle-class
house in an industrial town in the North of England.
Time: England in the fifties.
Scenery by Miss Vorálková
Phonetic Consultant: Mr. J. Ondráček.
The music and lyric of the song "Billy Liar" are by Mr. Peter Antonín
and Collective.
1971 (SPRING) Click here for two photographs of the ensemble
T h e G y p s y w o o d P l a y e r s
i n
H e a r t b r e a k H o u s e
b y
George Bernard Shaw
Characters in order of their appearance:
Nurse Guinness, an elderly servant Miss Štědroňová
Ellie Dunn, a young girl Miss Pravencová
Captain Shotover Mr. Paton
Lady Utterwood, his younger daughter, Ariadne Miss Kropilová
Mrs. Hushabye, his elder daughter, Hesione Miss Uhdeová
Mr. Mazzini Dunn, Ellie's father, a born
soldier of freedom and unsuccessful
business man Mr. Vojtek
Boss Mangan, an extremely
successful business man Mr. Prokop
Mr. Randall Utterword, Ariadne's
brother-in-law, a dilettante diplomat Mr. Pospíšil
Mr. William Dunn, ex-pirate,
ex-bo'sun, and burglar Mr. Pala
Scene: Act I, Act II: the living-room
of Captain Shotover's country house
Act III: the garden of the same
Time and Place: cultured, leisured Europe before World War I; or,
any time, any place
Scenery: Miss Malinová
Stage manager and Prompter: Miss Malinová
Incidental Music composed, arranged and performed by Mr. Paton
with
The Gypsywood Madrigal ans Shanty Consort
Adaptation: the Gypsywood Resident Playwright
Production: the Gypsywood Resident Producer
Scene-shiting: the Gypsywood Resident Scene-shifter
Crockery by courtesy of the Gypsywood Kitchen Staff
Captain Shotover's cap by the Hatmakers to H. M., without permission
April 2, 1971
1971 (AUTUMN)
(Click on the pictures for full size versions.)
the gypsywood players .............. gypsywood curtain theatre
g e t t i n g m a r r i e d
by
g e o r g e b e r n a r d s h a w
_________________
Scene: the former kitchen in the ancient Gothic Palace of Alfred
Bridgenorth, Bishop of Chelsea
Time: Early Twentieth Century, shortly after the Boer War
________
Characters in order of their appearance:
ALDERMAN WILLIAM (BILL) COLLINS ................ BOHUMÍR PROKOP
MRS. ALICE BRIDGENORTH ......................... JINDRA MALINOVÁ
GENERAL BOXER BRODGENORTH ...................... PETR ANTONÍN
MISS LESBIA GRANTHAM ........................... LADISLAVA KROPILOVÁ
Mr.Reginald BRIDGENORTH OF BRIDGENORTH ......... JAN VRÁBEL
LEO (MRS. REGINALD BRIDGENORTH) ................ PATRICIA DROZENOVÁ
THE BISHOP, ALFRED BRIDGENORTH ................. PAVEL VOJTEK
ST.JOHN (SINJON) HOTCHKISS ..................... MIROSLAV POSPÍŠIL
CECIL SYKES .................................... ZDENĚK KOPECKÝ
EDITH BRIDGENORTH .............................. EVA PRAVENCOVÁ
MRS. GEORGE ("POLLY" ZENOBIA COLLINS) .......... DORA UHDEOVÁ
FATHER ANTHONY SOAMES .......................... EMIL KUBÁT
THE BEADLE ..................................... FRANTIŠEK PALA
Scenery, Lighting and Incidental Music by the Gypsywood Galliard Group
Produced by Command
Gypsywood Curtain Theatre December 1971
1972 (SPRING)
25.5.1972 BRNO
T H E G Y P S Y W O O D P L A Y E R S
present
- on the occasion of the visit to Brno of -
P r o f e s s o r S c h u b i g e r
" S C H O O L P L A Y "
by
Donald Howarth
__________
Scene: A Classroom Time: Getting on for the end of term
Characters in order of appearance:
T e a c h e r ................... Petr Antonín, H.G.P.*)
S t u d e n t s:
O n e (A l i c e) ...... Andrea J e ř á b k o v á, H.G.P.*)
T w o (B e r t i e) .... Blahoslav D o k o u p i l
T h r e e (Elizabeth) ...... Helena K o v á ř o v á
F o u r (V e r o n i c a). Věra V a š í n o v á
F i v e (L e t t i e) .... Ladislava K r o p i l o v á, H.G.P.*)
S e v e n (R o s i e) ...... Renata L i š k o v á
E i g h t (M i l d r e d) .. Milena Ř í č a ř o v á
N i n e (J a n e) ........ Jana B e r n a r d o v á
T e n (K i t t y) ...... Kety Ž i v k o v á
E l e v e n (J o a n) ........ Jana N o v o t n á
T w e l v e (P a t r i c k) .. Pavel V o j t e k, H.G.P.*)
S i x (R e g g i e) .... Václav K ř í ž
Prompter and Stage Manager ... Jindra M a l i n o v á, H.G.P.*)
Incidental Music: Gypsywood Madrigal and Folk-Song Enterprises
(Copyright Reserved)
*) Honoured Gypsywood Player
A G Y P S Y W O O D P R O D U C T I O N
1972 (AUTUMN)
T H E B I L L
of that Sweet and Delectable Comedy .........
A M i d s u m m e r N i g h t' s D r e a m
by
Master William Shakespeare
given this Day by the Free Company of Gypsywood Players at the
Curtain Theatre of
Gypsywood
Persons of the Play:
Duke THESEUS ...................................... Jan Zubek
HIPPOLYTA, Queen of the Amazons ................... Eva Pravencová
PHILOSTRATE, Master of the revels ................. Dagmar Burianová
EGEUS, Father to Hermia ........................... Jiří Provazník
HERMIA, his Daughter, in love with Lysander ....... Helena Kovářová
LYSANDER, in love with Hermia ..................... Petr Antonín
DEMETRIUS, Suitor to Hermia ....................... Blahoslav Dokoupil
HELENA, in love with Demetrius .................... Věra Vašinová
NICK BOTTOM, a Weaver, playing Pyramus ............ Miroslav Pospíšil
PETER QUINCE, a Carpenter, Speaker of the Prologue. Tim Bowen
FRANCIS FLUTE, a Bellows-Mender, playing Thisbe ... Jana Bernardová
SNUG, a Joiner, playing Lion ...................... Jan Vrabel
TOM SNOUT, a Tinker, playing Wall ................. František Pala
ROBIN STARVELING, a Tailor, playing Moonshine ..... Leonard Boček
OBERON, King of the Fairies ....................... Miloš Bartoň
TITANIA, Queen of the Fairies ..................... Jana Novotná
PUCK, hight Robin Goodfellow ...................... Milena Řičařová
PEASEBLOSSOM ...................................... Ketty Živková
COBWEB ............................................ Jana Bernardová
MUSTARDSEED ....................................... Ludmila Kozáčková
Prompters ... Dagmar Burianová, Ludmila Kozáčková
MISTRESS OF THE STAGE AND WARDROBE ................ Ludmila Kozáčková
MISTRESS OF THE FAIRY DANCING ..................... Ketty Živková
MASTER OF THE MADRIGALISTS ........................ Aleš Svoboda
MADRIGALISTS OF GYPSYWOOD: Marie Zálešáková, Eva Pokorná, Ludmila
Laxová, Tamara Vraštilová, Barbora Trhlíková, Ladislav Ošmera
MASTER OF THE MUSIC TO THE PLAYERS ................ Petr Antonín
INDUCTOR OF THE MUSIC ............................. Leonard Boček
Humbly Presented to your Worships
by
THE PRODUCER to the GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS
PURVEYOR TO THE PLAYERS: Dagmar Burianová
1974
T H E G Y P S Y W O O D P L A Y E R S
T W E L F T H N I G H T
OR
W H A T Y O U W I L L
BY
W I L L I A M S H A K E S P E A R E
Scene: A city in Illyria, and the sea-coast near it.
Persons of the play (in order of appearance)
Orsino, Duke of Illyria Ladislav Rabušic
Curio gentlemen attending Vladimír Ošmera
Valentino on the Duke Jiří Kudrnáč
Viola, sister to Sebastian Jana Bernardová
A Sea Captain, friend to Viola Miroslav Olšanský
Sir Toby Belch, cousin to Olivia Jan Zubek
Maria, gentlewoman, attending on Olivia Milena Řičařová
Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a foolish knight Miloš Bartoň
Feste, a Clown, in Olivia's service Kety Živková
Olivia, a rich countess, Jana Novotná
in mourning for her brother
Malvolio, steward to Olivia Jaroslav Andrýsek
Sebastian, brother to Viola Blahoslav Dokoupil
Antonio, a sea captain, friend to Sebastian Vladimír Ošmera
Fabian, servant to Olivia Miroslav Olšanský
Officer, on the service of Orsino Jiří Kudrnáč
Priest, from the near-by chantry Jiří Kudrnáč
Music by the Gypsywood Madrigalists
Directed by Tamara Vraštilová
Barbora Kochwasserová
Eva Pokorná
Libuše Chmelová
Hana Schejbalová
Jana Mazuchová
Marie Zálešáková
Zuzana Staršíchová
Arrangements of Folk Songs and Madrigals: Tamara Vraštilová
Dance and Movement Advisor: Tamara Vraštilová
Design and Publicity: Eva Vávrová
Costumes: The Gypsywood Theatrical Costumes Cooperative
Voice Production Assistant: Miroslav Pospíšil, H.G.F.P. (Honoured
Gypsywood Former Player)
Lighting Effects: O. Duke
Prompter: Hana Jelínková
1975
Right: Milena Říčařová (Krhutová), Jessie Kocmanová, Reg Edwards
The Gypsywood Players
present
The Admirable Crichton
by
J.M. Barrie
Prior-to-Brno Production
C a s t (in order of appearance)
Narrator ............................. Irena Brichtová (Guest Artist)
Crichton ............................. H.G.P. Miroslav Pospíšil
The Honourable Ernest Woolley ........ Jiří Kudrnáč
Lady Agatha Lasenby .................. H.G.P. Milena Řičařová
Lady Catharine Lasenby ............... Tamara Berková
Lady Mary Lasenby .................... H.G.P. Jana Bernardová
The Reverend John Treherne ........... Ladislav Rabušic
The Earl of Loam ..................... Reg Edwards (Guest Artist)
Lord Brocklehurst .................... Jaroslva Andrýsek
Mrs. Perkins, tho housekeeper ........ H.G.P. Tamara Vraštilová
M. Fleury, the Chef .................. Jan Zubek
Mr. Rolleston, the Valet ............. Miroslav Olšanský
Tompsett, the Coachman ............... Miloš Bartoň
Fisher, Lady Mary's maid ............. G.M. Doubravka Jazyková
Simmons, Lady Catherine's maid ....... Irena Brichtová
Jeanne, Lady Agatha's maid ........... G.M. Marie Zálešáková
John, a footman ...................... Vítězslav Veselý
Jane, a Parlourmaid .................. G.M. Hana Masaryková
Gladys, a Housemaid .................. G.M. Jana Mazuchová
Betsy, a Kitchenmaid ................. G.M. Libuše Tolcarová
Tweeney, a Between-maid .............. H.G.P. Kety Živková
A Stable-boy ......................... G.M. Eva Pokorná
A Page-boy ........................... G.M. Zuzana Staršíchová
A Naval Officer ...................... Jan Zubek
The Countess of Brocklehurst ......... Jessie Kocmanová
Incidental Music by the Gypsywood Madrigalists, under the direction
of H.G.M. Tamara Vraštilová
Set Design ........................... Irena Brichtová (Associate
Gypsywood Designer)
Assistants ........................... V. Veselý, M. Olšanský, B. Walker
Scenic Artist ........................ E. Vávrová
Assistant ............................ Yvona Železná
Lighting ............................. Ladislav Rabušic
Sound ................................ Jan Zubek, Miloš Bartoň
Elocution and Speech Advisers ........ I. Brichtová,M.A.(Hons.), Reg.
Edwards, B.A.(Hons.)
Prompters ... H.G.P. Jana Novotná, Irena Brichtová
Produced by Jessie Kocmanová
1976
The Gypsywood Players
present
The Importance of Being Earnest
"A Trivial Comedy for Serious People"
by
Oscar Wilde
preceded by an exclusive interview with
the Shade of Oscar Wilde
-----------------------------
The Interview C Copyright Gypsywood 1976
Interviewer ..................... Jan Zubek
Oscar Wilde ..................... Miloš Bartoň
The Play
Lane, a servant .................. Miroslav Olšanský
Mr. Algernon Moncrieff ........... Ladislav Rabušic
Mr. Jack Worthing ................ Jiří Kudrnáč
Lady Bracknell ................... Jessie Kocmanová
Miss Gwendolen Fairfax ........... Marie Krylová
Miss Cicely Cardew ............... Tamara Berková
Miss Prism ....................... Doubravka Jazyková
Canon Chasuble ................... Jaroslav Andrýsek
Merriman, a Butler ............... Vítězslav Veselý
The Gypsywood Madrigal Singers:
Tamara Vraštilová, Zuzana Studená, Libuše Tokárová,
Eva Keřkovská, Marie Zálešáková, Hana Masaryková
Musical Director: Tamara Vraštilová
Stage Design by Eva Vavrová
Stage Manager and Prompters: Lane and Merriman
Technical Experts: Jan Zubek and Miloš Bartoň
Special Advice on Phonetics by Docent Jan Firbas
and Dr. Jaroslav Ondráček
Sullivan's music from "Patience" and other operas
arranged by Tamara Vraštilová
Directed and Produced by Jessie Kocmanová
General Advice by Everybody
"In these degenerate times, the amateur is the only
true professional" - The Shade of Oscar Wilde.
"It is written by a butterfly for butterflies"
- Oscar Wilde on The Importance of Being Earnest.
1977
T H E G Y P S Y W O O D P L A Y E R S
PRESENT
A S Y O U L I K E I T
BY
W i l l i a m S h a k e s p e a r e
revised by
An Unknown Hand
Pre-premiere performance Premiere performance
Gypsywood, 2nd December, 1977 Brno, 9th January, 1978
I n a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h
T H E G Y P S Y W O O D M A D R I G A L I S T S
P L A Y E R S
Orlando,youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys .. HGP Ladislav Rabušic
Adam, his old servant ........................ HGP Jaroslav Andrýsek
Oliver, oldest son of Sir Rowland ............ Vítězslav Veselý
Charles the Wrestler ......................... Pavel Landecký
Celia, daughter to Frederick ................. Tamara Berková
Rosalind, daughter to the exiled Duke ........ M. Krylová, I. Gardavská
Touchstone, a clown .......................... Don Sparling
Le Beau, a Courtier .......................... Hana Jelínková
Duke Frederick, the Usurper .................. Miroslav Hanák
The Exiled Duke .............................. Miroslav Hanák
Amiens, his attendent in exile ............... HGP Miroslav Olšanský
Lord - " - ............... Milena Greplová
1st Lord, attendant on Duke Frederick ........ Milena Greplová
2nd Lord, - " - ........ HGP Miroslav Olšanský
Corin, an old shepherd ....................... Pavel Landecký
Silvius, a young shepherd .................... HGP Miroslav Olšanský
Jaques, a melancholy Lord .................... HGP Jiří Kudrnáč
Audrey, a country wench ...................... Naďa Holíková
Phebe, a shepherdess ......................... Doubravka Jazyková
Sir Oliver Martext, a Vicar .................. HGP Jaroslav Andrýsek
William, a simple countryman ................. HGP Jaroslav Andrýsek
Jack, another son of Sir Rowland ............. Milena Greplová
Scenery, properties, wardrobe: Eva Chalupová
Country songs and dance: adapted from traditioanl folk airs
Prompters: Olga Hubáčková, Hana Škrabánková
Assistant Producer: Hana Jelínková
Produced and directed by Jessie K o c m a n o v á
SCENE: The Court (HGP: Honoured Gypsywood Player)
The Forest of Arden
T H E G Y P S Y W O O D M A D R I G A L I S T S
Jana Baláčová Kateřina Duží
Iva Gardavská Věra Hranáčová
Marie Janková Lea Kesslová
Lenka Kysilková Štěpánka Kšicová
Ludmila Markesová Vladimír Richter
Ivo Rušák Jiří Klecker
Artistic Director: A l e š S v o b o d a
1978
28 photos you may not know - from Iva Gilbertová's collection!
THE GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS
present
M Y F A I R L A D Y
Based on PYGMALION by BERNARD SHAW
Adaptations, lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner; music by Frederick Loewe
Arranged for instrumental and vocal group by Aleš Svoboda and
Michael Beckermann
Clara Eynsford-Hill ....................... Hana Škrabánková
Mrs Eynsford-Hill ......................... Tamara Berková HGP*)
Freddy Eynsford-Hill ...................... Jaromír Kosík
Eliza Doolitle ............................ Iva Gardavská
Colonel Pickering ......................... Jiří Kudrnáč HGP*)
Prof. Henry Higgins ....................... Don Sparling
Alfred P. Doolittle ....................... Pavel Landecký
Mrs Pearce ................................ Doubravka Jazyková HGP*)
Mrs Hopkins ............................... Olga Hubáčková
Mrs Higgins ............................... Naděžda Holíková
Prof. Zoltán Karpathy ..................... Michael Beckermann
Queen of Transylvania ..................... Hana Jelínková
Hoxton Man; Bartender; Angry Man
Butler; Policeman; Footman ................ Milan Trávníček
Chauffeur; Footman; Man at fire ........... Pavel Krška
Flower Girl ............................... Vladimíra Kvašninová
Bystanders; Angry People; Embassy Guests; Karen Beckerman, Jarmila
People at fire ............................ Bednaříková, Milena Greplo-
vá, Vladimíra Kvašninová, Zuzana Michálková
Tap-dance feature ......................... Hana Rajecká
Prompter: Hana Škrabánková
Production Assistants: Hana Jelínková, Jarmila Bednaříková,
Naděžda Holíková, Vladimíra Kvašninová, Zuzana Michálková
Scenic Design and Publicity: Eva Chalupová HGSA**)
Production Consultants: Don Sparling, Michael Beckerman
*) Honoured Gypsywood Player **) Honoured Gypsywood Scenic Artist
1979 ???, Iva Gardavská, ??? Lucy Lockit's Costume  9 photos you don't know - from Iva Gilbertovás collection!
THE GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS
presents
THE BEGGAR'S OPERA
by
JOHN GAY
with the original Airs arranged for voice,
guitar and double bass by Aleš Svoboda, František Malý, Vladimír Richter
-.-
Beggar (the author)..................................Pavel Krška
Player...............................................Jan Kuneš
Peachum, Informer and Trafficker in Stolen Goods.....Pavel Landecký
Mrs. Peachum, his wife...............................Milena Greplová
Polly, their Daughter................................Iva Gardavská, HGP*
Filch, a young Pickpocket............................Jaromír Kosík
Macheath, a Highwayman...............................Don Sparling
Lockit, Chief Jailor at Newgate......................Milan Trávníček
Lucy, his Daughter...................................Naděžda Kudrnáčová, HGP*
Mrs. Trapes, a Madam.................................Olga Hubáčková
Macheath's Gang......................................Pavel Krška, Jan Kuneš,
Ivo Tichý, Stanislav Krejčiřík, Jaromír Kosík
Ladies of the Town...................................Zuzana Michálková, Sylva
Sýkorová, Helena Mertlíková, Libuše Muroňová, Hana Škrabánková, Zuzana
Kudrnová, Jarmila Bednaříková
* Honoured Gypsywood Player
Prompter: Helena Mertlíková
Stage Managers: Zuzana Michálková
Jarmila Bednaříková
Costumes: Hana Škrabánková
Milena Greplová
Jarmila Bednaříková
Scenic Design: Stanislav Krejčiřík
Vladimír, guitar
František Malý, double bass
Associate Producer: Don Sparling
Musical Director: Aleš Svoboda
Director and Producer: Jessie Kocmanová
1980
Gypsywood Players
present
ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR
by
Alan Ayckbourn
Jane Hopcroft Helena Mertlíková
Sidney Hopcroft Jaromír Kosík, HGP*
Ronald Brewster-Wright Tomáš Pospíšil
Marion Brewster-Wright Zuzana Kudrnová
Geoffrey Jackson Radek Klepáč
Eva Jackson Zuzana Michálková
Dick and Lottie Potter (voices off) Jan Kuneš and Jarmila Bednaříková
Scene Design Stanisalv Krejčiřík
Music, lighting, scenic effects Ivo Tichý, Stanislav Bradáč
Special sound effects Jarmila Bednaříková
Wardrobe mistress Marie Martináková
Properties Dagmar Bieronská
Jaroslava Kadlecová
Prompter Milena Pospíšilová
Speech Training Iva Gardavská, HGP*
Naďa Kudrnáčová, HGP*
Directed and Produced by Jessie Kocmanová and Don Sparling
Act I: Jane and Sidney's Kitchen: Last Christmas
Act II: Eva and Geoffrey's Kitchen: This Christmas
Act III: Marion and Ronald's Kitchen: Next Christmas
*: Honoured Gypsywood Player
Gypsywood, Olomouc, Brno December 1980
1981
GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS
present
THE SEASON AT SARSAPARILLA
A Charade of Suburbia in Two Acts
by
Patrick White
Scene: Three Kithens in Mildred Street, Sarsaparilla, a suburb
of Sydney, Australia. Time: Summer, 1961
Cast
FIRST BOX
Harry Knott ... a shop assistant in Men's Wear ...Juraj Lajda
Mavis Knott ... his wife expecting her first baby ...Zuzana Kudrnová
Roy Child ... her brother, a teacher ...Tomáš Pospíšil
SECOND BOX
Clive Pogson ... a business man ...Richard Kovalovský
Girlie Pogson ...his wife ...Hana Komůrková
Judy Pogson ...their daughter, studying the violin ...Eva Skryjová
Joyleen (Pippy) ...their little girl ...Mona Darghamová
Deedree ...her little friend ...Jaroslava Kadlecová
THIRD BOX
Ernie Boyle ..."a sanitary man" on ...Radek Klepáč
the sewage-disposal
nightshift
Nola Boyle ...his wife ...Helena Mertlíková
Rowley (Digger ...his mate from World War II ...Petr Mikulík
Mason) in the Western Desert
Ron Suddards ...a post-office clerk ...Ivan Škarda
Julia Sheen ...a model ...Silvie Sýkorová
Mr. Erbage ...a self-made man, candidate ...Jan Kuneš
for the Town Council
Two Ambulance
Men ... ...Libor Beroun,
Karel Pala
Prompter: Milada Pospíšilová
Properties, Wardrobe: Věra Střelcová, Libuše Studecká
Sound, Scenic Effects, Lightings: Ivo Tichý, Stanislav Bradáč
Produced and Directed by Jessie Kocmanová and Don Sparling
Gypsywood, Brno, Olomouc, December 1981
1982
Gypsywood Players
present
their Nineteenth Brno Premiere Performance:
Alan Bennett: HABEAS CORPUS
Cast
Mr Purdue, a National Health Patient .....................Karel Pala
Dr Wicksteed, a general Practitioner in
Hove, Brighton ......................................Radek Klepáč
Mrs Wicksteed ............................................Kateřina Kučerová
Mrs Swabb, the Cleaning Lady .............................Mona Darghamová
Dennis Wicksteed, a hypochondriac ........................Tomáš Pospíšil
Connie Wicksteed, his Aunt ...............................Nora Reháková
Canon Throbbing, the local clergyman .....................Ivan Škarda
Lady Rumpers, Widow of General Sir "Tiger"
Rumpers .............................................Hana Komůrková
Felicity Rumpers, her Daughter ...........................Sylvie Sýkorová
Mr Shanks, a Commercial Traveller in Artifi-
cial Bosom Appliancies ..............................Petr Mikulík
Sir Percy Shorter, President of the British
Medical Association .................................A. Little-Sparrow
Music: Jana Nezmeškalová, Ivan Doležálek, with the expert advice of
Mrs Zdena Kurfrstová
Properties: Věra Střelcová
Costumes: Mimii Matt
Prompters: Jiřina Koziolová, Mimii Matt
Stage Manager: Margita Penčevová
Directed and produced by Jessie Kocmanová and Don Sparling
the Gypsywood Premiere at Cikháj is dedicated to professor Zdeněk
S t ř í b r n ý, DrSc., an old friend of Gypsywood Players, in tribute
to the occasion of his Sixtieth Birthday.
A Note On the Play:ALAN BENNETT, author of several comedies which have been successful on the London stage, is not, perhaps, compared with other contemporary dramatists, explicitely "progressive". But as a writer who sees deeply into at least some of the ills of contemporary, the genre he has chosen is the centuries-old commedia delarte as it has branched out on the English stage into the satirical farce, the slapstick comedy and the Christmas Pantomime - from all of which elements appear in H a b e a s C o r p u s (the title comes from the English law forbidding wrongful imprisonment without trial - and perhaps we are to take it in the sense that all the characters are imprisoned in their own personalities and their own bodies). The idea of the "Permissive Society" to which several references are made, a popular phenomenon in England of the late Sixties and Seventies, was directed against personal limitation by social rules and conventions - sexual or otherwise. In spite of the exceedingly funny black comedy and farce, or rather, by its means, Bennet presents a long vista of hte past three generations - the colonial arrogance of Lady Rumpers, always regretting the golden days before World War II, the nostalgic, allienated middle age of Doctor and Mrs. Wicksteed, the self-centered aimless youth of Dennis and Felicity. Add to these the raging inferiority complex of Sir Percy Shorter, the little man who has worked himself up to be President of the British Medical Asssociation and now seeks REVENGE for the humiliations he had suffered because of his littleness - not to mention the humble, innocent despair of Mr. Purdue, who cannot afford to be a "private patient", but must put up with the comparative neglect he gets on the "National Health". The sex-starved Connie, the too-innocent Canon Throbbing, the puzzled Mr Shanks - all suffer from the stress and strain of a society where people, apparently pursuing sex (deviant or otherwise) day and night, in fact do not love and do not know how to love. All is presided over by the strange figure of Mrs Swabb, the cleaning lady, who says she "represents the working classes", but is also an enthusiastic astrologer (hence the references to the Signs of the Zodiac, Pisces, Sagittarius, etc.); she also claims to be Fate, to know the future, to cut the strings of life and death. In fact, she is the Fairy Queen of the English Pantomime, just as Sir Percy represents the Demon King, with his accompanying thunder and lightning (the air-raid in war-time Liverpool). It may puzzle the Czech spectator that sophisticated London audiences can still laugh at the sight of people's trousers falling down on the stage. This is an age-old farcical situation and the remarkable thing is that Bennett can still make it funny and put it to dramatic use. Perhaps this is because real life always is crazier than art. Not long ago newspapers reported the stealing of the British Chancellor's trousers when he was dozing in the train from Manchester to London; while a mildly lunatic citizen was discovered by the Queen recently one night actually inside the her Majesty's bedroom - and Parliament demanded what was being done with all the millions spent on security. The original music for HABEAS CORPUS was not available, so we have adapted the lyrics to dance-tunes of the Twenties and Thirties, which seem to fit very well to the sardonic nostalgic wit of the songs.
J. K.
1983
The Gypsywood Players
present
Thornton Wilder: T H E M A T C H M A K E R
Horace Vandergelder, a merchant of Yonkers,
New York ......Petr Mikulík
Cornelius Hackl ... .........Radek Klepáč, HGP
Barnaby Tucker ... clerks in his store .........Pavel Krutil
Malachi Stack ... .........Don Sparling
Ambrose Kemper, an artist ........................Tomáš Pospíšil, HGP
Joe Scanlon, a barber ............................Jaroslav Ondráček
A Cabman .........................................Ilija Dorovský
Mrs Dolly Levi ... friends of Vandergel- ..Kateřina Kučerová
Miss Flora Van Huysen ... der's late wife ........Helena Mertlíková, HGP
Mrs Irene Molloy, the owner of a hat shop ........Mona Darghamová
Minnie Fay, her assistant ........................Eva Skryjová
Ermengarde, vandergelder's niece .................Sylvie Sýkorová, HGP
Gertrude, Vandergelder's housekeeper .............Nora Reháková
Miss Van Huysen's Cook ...........................Hana Komůrková
Music: Jana Nezmeškalová, Laďa Vystrčil, Ivan Doležálek, Dáša Valešová,
with the expert advice of Mrs Zdena Kurfrstová
Property Mistress: Věra Střelcová
Assistant Property Mistress: Milena Pospíšilová
Prompters and Costumes Mistresses: Mimii Matt and Daniela Dopitová
Designer: Jana Macenauerová
Stage Managers: Hana Lukešová and Karla Ševčíková
Directed and produced by Jessie Kocmanová and Don Sparling
Time: The end of the 19th century
Act I. Vandergelder's house in Yonkey, New York
Act II. Mrs Molloy's hat shop, New York
Act III. The Harmonia Gardens Restaurant, New York
Act IV. Miss Van Huysen's house, New York
_____
HGP: Honoured Gypsywood Player
1984
The Gypsywood Players
present
Willis H A L L : KIDNAPPED AT CHRISTMAS
Convict Gilbert ......................................Radek Klepáč, HGP
Convict Crosby .......................................Pavel Krutil
Warder Mullins .......................................Anton Pasienka
Warder MacBain .......................................Miloslav Míček
Detective Constable Grummett .........................Don Sparling
Clara Grummett (his wife) ............................Kateřina Kučerová
Alexander Grummett (their son) .......................Jaroslav Ondráček
Evadne Docherty ......................................Hana Lukešová
Headmistress Horatia Winstonia Allardyce .............Zorka Nechutová
Music prepared by Miloš Štědroň and presented by Jana Nezmeškalová, HGM
Special scenic effects: Hladký Enterprises
Designer: Darja Kobzíková
Property Mistresses: Karla Ševčíková and Hana Trávníčková
Costume Mistress: Dana Pastyříková
Prompters: Světlana Janšová and Jana Kadlecová
Stage Managers: Zdeněk Brabec, Yvory Rodriguez and Helena Šustáčková
Lighting: Ilija Dorovský
Directed and Produced by Jessie Kocmanová and Don Sparling
Time: Christmas Eve
Scenes: A prison cell, various streets, a suburban home,
a police station, a spooky green cellar
1985
GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS PRESENT
Sidney Howard. THE LATE CHRISTOPHER BEAN (1932)
Based on Prenez Garde a la Peinture by René Fauchois.
Setting: Dining-room of an old house in a New England Village
Time: Early morning, moving on through the day.
Period: Early 1930s.
C H A R A C T E R S
Dr. Haggett, the local practitioner.............Pavel Krutil
Mrs. Haggett, his wife .........................Kateřina Kučerová, HGP
Susan Haggett, their charming daughter..........Karla Tenková
Ada Haggett, their spoiled elder daughter.......Karla Ševčíková
Abby, the Haggetts´ servant.....................Ivana Bednářiková
Warren Creamer, an attractive young man;........Daniel Novotný
a penniless house painter and gifted
artist: in love with Susan
Tallant, a clever forger of painting............Jiří Rambousek
Rosen, an unscrupulous New York art dealer......Jarek Ondráček
Maxwell Davenport, a distinguished art critic...Jiří Bureš
from New York
# # #
Prompters: Helena Šustáčková and Elena Boráková
Properties: Jana Kadlecová and Michaela Bělohoubková
Costumes: Dana Pastýřiková, Michaela Hnilicová, Lenka Čecháčková
Design: Darja Kobzíková
Publicity: Hana Trávničková
Stage Manager: Ivory Rodriguez and Zdeněk Brabec
Lighting: Ilija Dorovský
Produced and directed by Jessie Kocmanová and Don Sparling
1986
GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS PRESENT
P L U N D E R
by Ben Travers
Characters:
Oswald Veal.....................................Jarek Ondráček, HGP
Prudence Malone.................................Karla Tenková
Mrs. Hewlett....................................Jitka Cigánková
Simon Veal......................................Jiří Bureš
Freddy Malone...................................Jiří Rambousek
Mabel...........................................Jana Kadlecová
Joan Hewlett....................................Ivana Bednaříková
D´Arcy Tuck.....................................Pavel Krutil, HGP
Sir George Chudleigh............................Don Sparling
Lady Chudleigh .................................Hana Suchánková
Ruth Bennett....................................Luisa Rzymanová
Buckley.........................................Roman Kožnar
Mrs. Orlock.....................................Athena Alchazidu
Chief Constable Grierson........................Jan Mattuš
Chief Detective Inspector Sibley................Antonín Pasienka
Sergeant Marchant...............................Martin Němec
Constable Davis.................................Jiří Meloun
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Prompters: Vladimíra Ošťádalová
Properties: Elena Boráková, Simona Šulcová and Jitka Jugasová
Costumes: Lenka Čecháčková and Michaela Hnilicová
Design: Květa Daniela and Eva Tůmová
Publicity: Jana Valíčková
Stage Managers: Zdeněk Brabec and Jiří Meloun
Lighting: Ilija Dorovský, HGLM
Directed by Don Sparling
1987
THE GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS
present
A R S E N I C A N D O L D L A C E
by Joseph Kesselring
Cast:
Abby Brewster....................................Ivana Bednaříková
The Reverent Dr. Harper..........................Jiří Bureš
Teddy Brewster...................................Jaroslav Ondráček, HGP+
Officer Brophy...................................Jiří Rambousek
Officer Klein....................................Luisa Rzymanová
Martha Brewster..................................Jana Kadlecová, HGP+
Elaine Harper....................................Karla Tenková
Mortimer Brewster................................Pavel Krutil, HGP+
Mr. Gibbs........................................Roman Kožnar
Jonathan Brewster................................Miroslav Pospíšil, HGP+
Dr. Einstein.....................................Martin Němec
Officer O'Hara...................................Petr Brabec
Lieutenant Rooney................................Jan Mattuš
Miss Witherspoon.................................Athena Alchazidu
xxxxxxxxx
Prompters: Vladimíra Ošťádalová and Pavla Kloudová
Properties: Elena Boráková, Jitka Jugasová, Renata Dopitová
Costumes: Lenka Čecháčková, Veronika Hanušová, Simona Šulcová
Design: Květa Danielová and Eva Tůmová
Makeup: Hana Suchánková, HGP+
Stage Managers: Zdeněk Brabec, HGSM+, and Klára Lenochová
Lighting: Ivory Rodriguez
Publicity: Jana Valíčková
+HGP = Honoured Gypsywood Player
+HGSM = Honoured Gypsywood Stage Manager
Directed by Don Sparling
1988 (SPRING)Lyrics from the play
THE GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS
present
OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR
by Theatre Workshop, Charles Chilton and the members of the original cast
Cast:
Athena Alchazidu Pavel Hub
Ivana Bednaříková, HGP+ Roman Kožnar
Veronika Hanušová Martin Krejza
Dana Honová Pavel Krutil, HGP+
Jana Kadlecová,HGP+ Jan Mattuš
Hana Kočí Martin Němec
Ivana Masaříková Jaroslav Ondráček, HGP+
Luisa Rzymanová, HGP+ Jiří Rambousek, HGP+
Simona Šulcová Ivory Rodriguez, HGLM+
Karla Tenková, HGP+ Don Sparling
Prompter: Vladimíra Ošťádalová
Properties: Elena Boráková, HGPM+, Renata Dopitová
Costumes: Lenka Čecháčková, HGCM+, Michaela Bělohoubková
Design: Květa Danielová, Eva Tůmová, Jitka Jugasová
Lighting: Ilija Dorovský, HGLM+
Sound: Jaroslav Sedlář
Publicity: Jana Valíčková
+HGP/PM/CM/SM/LM = Honoured Gypsywood Player/ Property Mistress/ Costume Mistress/ Stage Manager/ Lighting ManWe have been very fortunate in being able to draw on the considerable talents of ZIMOUR for the musical accompaniment to the show: Milan Potůček (leader), Jindřich Kameníček, Jiří Jeřábek, Pavel Putna, and Stanislav Křivánek. With them, on piano, is Dan Hos. Through the generosity of the British Council, Marguerite Jennings, leader of the Bradford Youth Players, has been able to come to Brno as guest director of Gypsywood Players in a new venture - their second production of the season.
1988 (AUTUMN)
THE GYPSYWOOD PLAYERS
present
ALLIGATOR MAN TREVOR
by by
Jack A. Kaplan John Bowen
x x x x x x x x
ALLIGATOR MAN
Telesphonte ........................... Martin Krejza
Alligator Girl ......................... Dana Gajdová
Gruesome Gator ............... Ivory Rodriguez, HGML*
Clu ................................... Petra Hemzová
Syl ................................. Michaela Lánská
Georgiana .......................... Athena Alchazidu
Lucy ................................ Jitka Přerovská
Harris ................................... Jan Mattuš
TREVOR
Jane ................................. Simona Šulcová
Sarah ........................... Karla Tenková, HGP*
Trevor ........................... Pavel Krutil, HGP*
Mrs Lawrence ................... Jana Kadlecová, HGP*
Mr Lawrence ............................ Roman Kožnar
Mrs Kempton ................. Ivana Bednaříková, HGP*
Mr Kempton ..................... Jiří Rambousek, HGP*
Mr Hudson .............................. Martin Němec
TECHNICAL STAFF
Prompter ....................... Vladimíra Ošťádalová
Properties .......... Renata Dopitová, Jitka Jugasová
Costumes ... Michaela Bělohoubková, Veronika Hanušová
Design ....... Květa Danielová, Elena Boráková, HGPM*
Stage Manager, Sound ................ Jaroslav Sedlář
Lighting ...................... Ilija Dorovský, HGLM*
Publicity ............................ Jana Valíčková
Music .................................. Roman Kožnar
Directed by Don Sparling
* HGP/PM/LM - Honoured Gypsywood Player/Property Mistress/Lighting Man
1989
|
|
the plays:
WanderinG - A TurN
A LessoN IN DeaD LanguagE
BoX (I)
ChucK
JeW!
AnimaL - 10 minute intermission -
StarS AnD StripeS
ThoughtS ON ThE InstanT OF
TouR
CamerA ObscurA
MommA AS ShE BecamE -
BoX (II)
|
the players: MarketA BojarovÁ VincenzO D'AlessandrO JiřÍ FlajšaR DanA HavlíkovÁ KateřinA KvízovÁ AndY RobertS PeteR TaboR DitA TrnkovÁ VeronikA UhlířovÁ HelenA VojnovÁ CynthiA K. WunscH
director: DereK DeWitT stage manager: EdwarD EwinG asst. dir.: CynthiA K. WunscH sound: DaN MareŠ
special thanks to: olga dudová, luděk
extra special thanks to don sparling, |
1996 (SPRING)
THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY
Brian Friel
Divadlo Na provázku
sklepní scéna
Thursday 9th May
&
Friday 10th May
Gypsywood Players is the name of
the amateur theatre group of the
Department of English and American
Studies, Masaryk University, Brno.
CAST (in order of appearance) Michael Heggarty ..................... Milan Kaplan Lily Doherty ......................... Štěpánka Jirešová Skinner .............................. Vít Zelinka Photographer ......................... Ondřej Schneider Priest ............................... Jiří Flajšar Judge ................................ Monika Metyková Policeman ............................ Petr Kafka Soldier 1 ............................ Filip Brichta Soldier 2 ............................ Jan Richter Dr Dodds ............................. Adéla Bódiová Lynda O'Kelly ........................ Diana Niedobová Balladeer ............................ Filip Brychta Army Press Officer ................... Dana Ryglová Pressman ............................. Petr Kafka Brigadier Johnson-Hansbury ........... Petr Kafka Dr Windbourne ........................ Jan Richter Professor Cupley ..................... Ondřej Schneider Director ............................. G. H. Timmermans Stage Manager ........................ Steve Hardy Set Designer ......................... Lucie Kuropatová Lighting Designer .................... Lucie Kuropatová Lighting Director .................... Jaroslav Havlík Sound Director ....................... David Hýsek Advertising & Ticketing .............. Dana Ryglová Time: 10th February 1970 There will be one interval of twenty minutes
1998
THE DEATH OF THE DONNELLYS
by Ted Johns
Director .............................................. Ted Johns
Assistant Director (music, songs, dance, fights) ...... Chris Royal
The Donnellys
Jim ................................................... Milan Kaplan
Julia, his wife ....................................... Štěpánka Jirešová
Their children: William ............................... Ondřej Schneider
John .................................................. Don Sparling
Jenny ................................................. Markéta Stinglova
Bob ................................................... Jakub Kučera
Tom ................................................... Jaroslav Daniel
Jim Jr. ............................................... Jan Tilšer
Patrick ............................................... Přemysl Dohnal
Michael ............................................... Aleš Rumpel
Their niece: Bridgett ................................. Dita Dvořáková
The others
Uncle Orlo ............................................ Don Sparling, HGD
Pat Farrell ........................................... Jaroslav Daniel
Patrick Flannigan, Grouchie Ryder, Everett ............ Jan Tilšer
William Porte, McKellar ............................... Vladimír Šída
Tulip Porte, Annie Heenan ............................. Dita Dvořáková
John Kennedy .......................................... Milan Pavlas
Maggie Thompson, first woman,
Grouchie's barn monologue .......................... Zdeňka Brandejská
Mary Thompson, second woman ........................... Markéta Stinglová
Buggy Thompson, Ed, Henry ............................. Přemysl Dohnal
William Thompson, Hawkshaw, pyromaniac, Potter ........ Don Sparling
Murray, Berryhill ..................................... Aleš Rumpel
Stagecoach passenger, Grouchie's barn monologue ....... Kateřina Chalupová
Stagecoach passenger .................................. Štěpánka Jirešová
Mr Heenan ............................................. Milan Kaplan
James Carroll ......................................... Jakub Kučera
Horses: .............................. Milan Kaplan, Dita Dvořáková
Zdeňka Brandejská, Markéta Stinglová
Musicians
Jana Konečná, violin
Milan Pavlas, guitar
Jakub Kučera, guitar
Stage Managers
Martina Drnková, Adéla Bódiová
Thanks go to the Janáček Theatre, the Canadian government, Masaryk University English Department, the Cikháj centre, and all Gypsywood Players past and present.
The Legendary Donnellys
Early in the morning of 4 February 1880 near the village of Lucan in southern Ontario, a party of armed men acting as vigilantes brutally murdered a local farmer, James (Jim) Donnelly, his wife Julia, their sons Thomas and John, and their niece Bridgett Donnelly. Two eye-witnesses claimed to have identified six of the murderers, who were subsequently brought to trial in nearby London, Ontario. The case became an international sensation, especially as the background to the deaths became known. For it was revealed that the murder of Jim Donnelly and his family was in fact the climax to more than three decades of escalating violence. The countryside round Lucan was divided into two bitterly opposed factions, with the Donnellys and their supporters on one side, and a large group of "respectable citizens", the friends of Pat Farrell and his family, on the other. This feud - a vendetta that some claim had its roots back in Ireland, where many of the local people had originally come from - had claimed a heavy toll in lives and property: accidental and not so accidental deaths, stagecoaches smashed and horses mutilated, houses, factories, barns and stables burned down. Over the years, many people in Lucan and the surrounding district had decided that the tight-knit Donnelly family was the ultimate cause of all the disorder, and in the end had turned against them. The degree to which the community hated the Donnellys could be seen in the course of the two trials that followed the massacre: in the first, the jury disagreed; in the second, they brought in a verdict of "not guilty". No one was ever sentenced for the murders.Right from the beginning, the Donnelly story excited interest and controversy. It soon entered into the realm of folklore, and for more than a century the Donnellys have been a vivid and troubling presence in Canada's popular culture. In recent years alone, more than 100 factual and fictional accounts of the story have appeared. These have included at least three plays, the first of them being Them Donnellys, a collective production conceived and directed by Paul Thompson at Toronto's Theatre Passe Muraille, one of Canada's leading experimental theatres, in 1974 and 1975. In 1979 this was rewritten by Ted Johns as The Death of the Donnellys and presented to great acclaim at the summer festival in Blyth, a town in southern Ontario not far from the scene of the events it describes.
Act I of the play centres on the Donnelly family itself and its place in the town of Lucan. We see the family of eight children growing up without their father Jim, who is away in Kingston Prison serving his seven-year sentence for the murder of Pat Farrell. Only the determination of their mother, Julia, holds the family together till Jim returns. But by this time the Donnelly boys have become used to "raising a little hell" from time to time, and the town of Lucan is growing weary of their wild behaviour and outrageous practical jokes. It takes all of Jim's authority as father to keep them under control, and within the bounds of the law. The cleverest and most ambitious of the brothers is Will, who aims to get ahead by purchasing a stagecoach line. He hopes his old sweetheart, Maggie Thompson, will marry him despite her father's opposition to the match, and he arranges for them to elope during the chivaree being held to mark her brother William's marriage. But at the chivaree - a mock, noisy celebration for newly-weds - things get out of hand: the high spirits of the Donnellys and their friends, fueled by alcohol, lead to the virtual demolition of the house, Will gets hopelessly drunk, Maggie leaves him in disgust, and the evening ends in brutality and despair.
The darkening tone of the play continues in Act II. Will goes ahead and acquires a stagecoach line, and the competition between him and Flannigan, the owner of a rival line, leads to an increasingly vicious cycle of mutual acts of violence. By now things have got completely out of hand. The next weapon to be employed is fire: ninety-eight cases of proven arson in two years. The whole community slowly becomes embittered: even a wedding celebration ends in brawling and destruction. Finally a small group of determined citizens sets up a semi-secret committee whose sole aim is to put an end to the Donnelly menace. Every means is tried: court cases whose costs slowly ruin the family; planted evidence; pressure from the local Catholic priest; various forms of intimidation and violence against the Donnellys' friends. But the Donnelly family remains united and unbeaten, and finally the committee decides there is only one way of ridding the community of them. One night, armed with guns, clubs and pitchforks, they enter Jim and Julia's house and murder them, their son Tom and their niece Bridgett in cold blood. After setting fire to the dwelling, they move on to Will's house, where they manage to shoot John, thinking he is their arch-enemy Will. The Donnelly family has finally been silenced.
Ted Johns was born and raised on a farm near Clinton, in southern Ontario. After studies at the University of Toronto (BA and MA), he taught at Brock University in St Catherine's, Ontario, before beginning his career as an actor and playwright. He has written a number of plays and one-man shows and toured extensively throughout Canada, with occasional productions in the USA and Britain. This production of Death of the Donnellys has generated considerable interest within both the Actors' Union and the Playwrights' Union in Canada.
Chris Royal comes originally from Toronto; presently he lives in Vancouver. He studied classical theatre for three years at George Brown Theatre School in Toronto and has worked for two seasons at the Shaw Summer Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, as well as at a number of other theatres. This is his first trip abroad and he is delighted to be in Brno.
1999
MURDER IN THE CATHEDRALwith St. George plays
by T. S. Eliot.
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