In 1887 the National Theatre’s first dramaturge wrote this, the first Czech realist play. Critics of the time found it too different, too unusual. They failed to understand it and rejected it. Yet time has proved its qualities; it has become one of the cornerstones of Czech drama.

The author depicts the everyday life of a seemingly idyllic village in South Bohemia. Under the surface of neighbourly camaraderie, dramas are bubbling – there is rivalry for the prestigious designation of “first farmer”, along with discussions of who will become the night watchman. An unknown person threatens with arson. After more than a century, this play is more than ever ours – and about us.

Drama in czech language.

Photo: Pavel Nesvadba

Duration of the performance: 2 hours and 45 minutes, 1 intermission

• Stage director: Jan Antonín Pitínský
• Sets: Jan Hubínek
• Costumes: Kateřina Štefková
• Music: Petr Hromádka
• Dramaturgy: Lenka Kolihová Havlíková

• Filip Dubský: Jiří Štěpnička
• Jakub Bušek: Miroslav Donutil
• Václav: Jan Dolanský
• Verunka: Magdaléna Borová
• Marie Dubská: Johanna Tesařová
• Petr Dubský: Alois Švehlík / Václav Postránecký
• Františka Bušková: Jitka Smutná / Kateřina Holánová / Hana Militká
• Matěj Šumbal: Igor Bareš
• Marie Šumbalová: Taťjana Medvecká
• Pavel Kožený: Petr Pelzer
• Kašpar Šmejkal: Milan Stehlík
• Valentin Bláha: Ondřej Pavelka
• Josef Habršperk: David Prachař
• František Fiala: Jan Hartl
• Terezka: Hana Igonda Ševčíková
• Kristýna: Kristina Lukešová / Gabriela Pyšná
• Blacksmith: Vlastimil Přáda
• Karel Kudrlička: Jan Bidlas / Radúz Mácha
• Tobiáš Nedochodil: Tomáš Stibor
• Markýtka: Jaromíra Mílová
• Policeman: Petr Motloch
• Marek: Václav Postránecký / Petr Pelzer
• Rozárka: Hana Militká / Sabina Králová