Czech Playwright Torčík’s Autofiction Adapted for the Stage – A Radical Reimagining
Marek Torčík’s acclaimed novel, Rozložíš spámem (You Will Destroy Memory), a work of autofiction that won both the Jiří Orten and Magnesia Litera prizes, has been adapted for the stage by Brno’s HaDivadlo. The production, directed by Ondřej Štefaňák and dramatized by Ondřej Novotný, takes significant liberties with the source material, opting for a visceral and often grotesque interpretation rather than the novel’s restrained introspection.
From Page to Stage: A Shift in Tone
Torčík’s novel delves into the coming-of-age of a teenager in Přerov, Czech Republic, at the turn of the millennium, exploring themes of family hardship, bullying, nascent sexuality, and societal prejudice. The adaptation, still, largely abandons the novel’s subtle vulnerability in favor of a heightened, naturalistic caricature. From the opening moments, featuring artificial blood and a masked figure, the stage production establishes a dramatically different tone.
Autofiction and its Czech Context
Rozložíš spámem is part of a growing trend in contemporary literature – autofiction – which has gained prominence in the Czech Republic through translations of authors like Didier Eribon, Édouard Louis, Annie Ernaux, Karl Ove Knausgård, and Ocean Vuong. These writers are united by their intensely personal and often painful explorations of self and experience. Torčík’s work specifically examines the complexities of growing up in a post-communist Czech society, grappling with economic hardship, social exclusion, and personal identity.
A Grotesque Interpretation
Štefaňák’s direction emphasizes the violence inherent in the narrative, presenting it with “macabre proportions.” Simona Peková’s portrayal of the grandfather is particularly striking, embodying a “living corpse” through costume and performance. Similarly, characters representing marginalized individuals, played by Josef Filip Kostka, are rendered in an exaggerated and arguably problematic manner. A scene depicting metaphorical urination, whereas present in the novel, is deemed “tasteless” by critics in its stage adaptation, potentially causing harm to the work’s original intent.
Reimagining Memory and Societal Critique
Dramaturg Ondřej Novotný employs a non-linear structure, rearranging memories and incorporating elements like melancholic songs and quotations from Patrik Ouředník’s Šmírbuch, a compendium of offensive language. However, this approach is seen by some as a misinterpretation of Torčík’s style, which avoids irony and prioritizes personal experience. The adaptation also introduces a stronger socio-political critique, focusing on the absent father figure and the failures of the post-revolutionary Czech Republic.
Engaging the Audience
A semi-improvised scene features actor Jáchym Sůra, playing the protagonist Marko, directly addressing the audience while Sara Venclovská stands among symbolic gravestones labeled with phrases like “social justice” and “equal opportunities.” This moment satirizes unfulfilled post-revolutionary expectations and critiques paternalistic attitudes towards marginalized communities.
Balancing Horror, Commentary, and Pop Culture
The production blends elements of horror, social commentary, and pop culture references, particularly through the incorporation of manga aesthetics to depict the relationship between Marko and Marián. While visually arresting, this mixture is ultimately perceived as distracting and unfocused, lacking the restraint and quiet tension of the original novel.
HaDivadlo’s New Direction
Under new management, HaDivadlo aims to attract a younger audience, and this adaptation of Rozložíš spámem is a clear attempt to do so. Whether audiences unfamiliar with the novel will appreciate the production’s radical approach remains to be seen. Critics suggest that those acquainted with Torčík’s work may feel as though they are witnessing an adaptation of a different book altogether.
Production Details
- Title: Marek Torčík – Rozložíš paměť (You Will Destroy Memory)
- Director: Ondřej Štefaňák
- Cast: Jáchym Sůra, Sara Venclovská, Simona Peková, Radim Chyba, Josef Filip Kostka
- Theater: HaDivadlo, Brno
- Premiere: February 21
- Upcoming Dates: March 9 and 10