So It Is (If You Think So)

SO IT IS (IF YOU THINK SO) ‘Truth is not refuted by burning at the stake’. Those who follow arguments on social media may become frustrated by the abundance of resolute ‘truths’, the aggressive dissemination of all kinds of conspiracy theories, and the questioning of science-based facts. How can we navigate a society that is not only oversaturated with information, but also overwhelmed by the undermining of basic certainties? In a postmodern, relativistic and fragmented world, it seems that even the laws of nature – as a thing we thought we could all agree on – can be denied. Is the Earth even round? What did Giordano Bruno die for? Does Finland exist? Is there no other way out than spending your time alone with your computer and your pals online? Have we fallen in our own trap? Is truth and knowledge worth a great sacrifice? Or do you just get angry anonymously in front of a computer screen? And is each of us absolutely entitled to our own truth?

 The new piece on the repertoire of Alfa Theatre in Pilsen, So It Is (If You Think So), refers to Pirandello with its title, yet actually has nothing to do with the famous Italian play. The production prepared by the successful duo Vašíček–Jarkovský (joined by Petra Kosová) deals with – basically – a fierce belief in one’s truth and the willingness to lay down one’s life for it.
VLADIMÍR MIKULKA, Nadivadlo

JAKUB VAŠÍČEK AND TOMÁŠ JARKOVSKÝ (playwright-director duo | 1979 and 1986) studied directing at the DAMU Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre under Ivan Rajmont and Jan Borna. During their studies, they staged their own play Neklan.cz or From Old Czech Legends at the Naive Theatre in Liberec as a creative tandem. It marked the beginning of their artistic collaboration that has lasted to date. In autumn 2014, they found their home stage at the DR AK Theatre in Hradec Králové. They also regularly perform as guests at the Alfa Theatre in Pilsen, the Minor Theatre in Prague, and D21. They have also collaborated with the South Bohemian Theatre in České Budějovice, the West Bohemian Theatre in Cheb, the F. X. Šalda Theatre in Liberec and Maribor Puppet Theatre. They co-founded the independent theatre Športniki. Their productions received many awards at international festivals, won three Erik Awards for the most inspiring puppetry production of the season as well as the Mark Ravenhill Award, and were nominated repeatedly for the Divadelní noviny Award (one of the nominated productions, The Enlisted Society of Czech and Slovak Puppeteers presents: The Jester and the Bandit, received the award) and the Theatre Critics Award. Their first production to be presented at the Divadlo festival was Hamleteen (2012, ALFA Theatre Pilsen), the latest one was Čáslavská – Tokyo – 1964 (2024, ALFA Theatre Pilsen).

ALFA THEATRE was founded as a puppet theatre in 1966 and continues to focus on pieces for children and teenagers. One of its dramaturgical lines stems from the roots of Czech folk puppeteers and develops their legacy in the context of contemporary puppet theatre. Another line explores alternative puppetry approaches to classics and original theatrical productions. In addition to their work for the youngest, the theatre makers wish to attract demanding teenage audiences, including through European projects. Known for their puppeteer mastery, Alfa Theatre is invited for guest performances at many Czech and foreign festival. Since 1967, it has organised the Skupa’s Pilsen festival. Last year, Alfa prepared an exceptional Czech-Japanese project Čáslavská – Tokyo – 1964 in co-production with the PUK Puppet Theatre from Tokyo; this year, the theatre honoured the double anniversary of the famous Danish fairy-tale author with the project Ole! Andersen! Mr. Zavřiočko’s Fairy Tales directed by Šimon Spišák.