Behind the fangs: An Interview with Count von Krolock
Table of Contents
- Behind the fangs: An Interview with Count von Krolock
- From Military Service to Dracula: An Interview with Lukáš Vaculík
- And there you have remained ever since.
- So you’re not a flighty person?
- As far as I no, you were married to a colleague with whom you have two daughters. And now you have a new life partner, a theater colleague Kristýna Daňhelová who is thirteen years younger.
- That’s all you have to tell me about it?
- Was the divorce difficult?
- “We Play Together”: A Czech Actor on Family, Freedom, and finding Fulfillment
- The Allure of the Vampire Ball: A Deep Dive
How much time do you spend in makeup before the Vampire Ball?
Almost an hour. The face including the wig takes less than half an hour, the hands the same.A plaster is stuck on each finger, a long nail is put on it and the whole hands are painted.
Are vampire teeth a problem when singing?
They are hell, I curse them, saliva is flying everywhere. (laughs) Moreover,the first ones didn’t fit me,so the nice lady in the dental laboratory made me a better one. Fortunately, I only have them when the vampire goes “into action”. I sing long arias without them.
What place does the demonic Count von Krolock have among your many musical roles?
My way of doing it is that I get one role, I play it, another one comes. It’s been this cycle for twenty years. I liked Krolock, I really enjoy it. It’s a serious humorous exaggeration. And since it’s about vampires, it also has a cultish feel to it. A great fairy tale for adults.
You have been working in Brno for over twenty years. Is it different to play in Prague?
The gameplay is the same. The only difference is in the system. in the stone repertory theater there is a permanent team, from technicians to actors.in projects like Vampire Ball, everything is focused on one title.
I take the theater as a whole, it makes no difference to me if I stand on stage in a musical or dramatic role
Have you ever solved the dilemma of staying in Brno or moving to Prague?
I dealt with it when my ex-wife (Pavla Vitázková) was filming the series (Cesty domú) in Prague. I said let’s try it. more for drama or movies than a musical. we stayed in Brno,were we started a family. That was the end of those thoughts. After all, Prague is not far away, moreover, I go to Bratislava quite frequently enough and Brno is conveniently in the middle.
Do you only focus on musicals, or do you also h
From Military Service to Dracula: An Interview with Lukáš Vaculík
Lukáš Vaculík is captivating audiences as Count von Krolock in the new production of Dracula at the J.K. Tyl Theatre in Plzeň. But his path to the stage wasn’t a straightforward one. He shares his journey, from a business academy and a near miss with opera singing, to finding his calling at JAMU in Brno.
(Image: Lukáš Vaculík as Count von Krolock, luring Natália Grossová, who plays Sara, into his tent at the vampire Ball. Photo: Michaela Feuereislová)
What high school did you go to?
At the business academy in Trenčín. Fair hell, but I survived. After school, I almost went to Banská Bystrica to study opera singing. When the singing teacher, a baritone, described to me how it was there, what I wouldn’t be allowed to do, I ran away. A year of military service followed. but I was still thinking about the theater.
How did you end up at JAMU in Brno?
I used to go to camps near Jindřichov Hradec on the Komáří louka near the Holub pond. We always returned via Brno, and my friends showed me a school there, where musical acting is said to be taught. “That would be something for you,” they said.At seventeen, with a guitar on my back, I just laughed at it, but then I remembered it in the army. But they discouraged me, saying that at twenty I was too old for that.
So I went from Martin to Brno in the dark, as I found out that they were having an open day there. I walked in, asked the first person I met if I was old for a musical, and when she said no, it was settled for me. I hitchhiked back to the barracks in Martina and submitted my submission.
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Photo: Tino Kratochvil
His last premiere at his hometown Brno Municipal Theater was the musical Winton.
Coincidentally, when I finished my studies at JAMU (2004), a new music stage for musicals opened in the Municipal Theater and started Hair. I felt quite prepared, so I went to the audition, my first audition in Brno, as I was still working like an idiot at school. It came out and I just moved a few meters from JAMU to a new music scene.
I don’t accept alternating care, so even if I live elsewhere, I get up before six in the morning and go to my daughters
And there you have remained ever since.
So you’re not a flighty person?
No, not in the theater, not in life.
As far as I no, you were married to a colleague with whom you have two daughters. And now you have a new life partner, a theater colleague Kristýna Daňhelová who is thirteen years younger.
That’s all you have to tell me about it?
I think about how to talk about it, what would actually interest the person who will read it. Yes, we broke up with Pavlínka Vitázková, formerly Ptáčková. At first it was an emotionally challenging time, but now we can work together better this way.

I moved away, of course, the girls stayed at home, they have their own rooms, their own home. And I adapt.I don’t accept alternating care, so even if I live elsewhere, I get up before six in the morning, go to see them, make them snacks, take them to school, then bring them back from that school, do homework with them or take them wherever they need to go.
We have it more challenging in that the older daughter has diabetes, she has to inject herself with insulin before every meal, it is indeed 24/7 continuous care. It’s amazing that even though we’ve broken up, we stay together in family matters. If it weren’t for that, it would all be a lot harder.
Was the divorce difficult?
There was no crash, but the emotional inner typhoon was crazy. I believe that life is short,and I need it to be calm and harmonious. I didn’t want the little girls to experience, as sometimes happens, their parents arguing, or being mean to each other. I couldn’t stand that. So I bit off something, I understood something, I moved somewhere.
We try to create harmony between us, we accommodate each other in
“We Play Together”: A Czech Actor on Family, Freedom, and finding Fulfillment
Czech actor Ondřej Sokol isn’t one to shy away from life’s unexpected turns. In a recent interview, he openly discussed his unconventional family life, his career, and his perspective on ambition and happiness.
A New Family Dynamic
Sokol’s life took a critically important shift when his wife, Dasha, began a relationship with another man. rather than allowing the situation to fracture their family, they embraced a unique co-parenting arrangement. Sokol describes the situation as surprisingly harmonious, emphasizing the genuine affection between everyone involved. “For the children,the family has actually grown,where everyone really likes each other,” he shared. He offers reassurance to others navigating similar circumstances, urging them to “stop the hysteria and keep calm.”
Following in Their Footsteps?
With daughters aged nine and eleven, the question arises weather they will pursue a life on stage like their parents. Sokol is pragmatic, acknowledging the private inner lives of children. He notes that while his daughters enjoy participating in theater – currently performing in a musical about sir nicholas Winton – he believes they should ultimately choose their own paths. “Let them decide what they will do in life. I would like it to be something tangible, tangible.Maybe I miss it terribly. I used to cut wood,but now I don’t have time at all.”
The Price of Freedom
Despite the artistic freedom inherent in acting, Sokol admits to longing for more control over his schedule. “The acting profession is internally free,but logistically very unfree,because we can’t plan anything,we don’t know where what will appear,who will get sick,who will need to be taken by surprise.” He finds himself frequently committed to the theater, even during weekends and holidays.
Humility Over Ambition
Sokol identifies as unambitious, questioning whether this is a positive or negative trait in today’s world. He values humility and dedication to his work but acknowledges that a lack of self-assertion might be a drawback.
Thalia Awards and everyday Life
Despite receiving two prestigious Thalia Awards, Sokol remains grounded. He humorously illustrates this point by recounting a recent feat of strength: “I have been very active all my life, I play sports. Now, for example, I brought a 73-kilo keg of beer to the Pod Rysy cottage.” While appreciative of the recognition the awards brought, he suggests they haven’t fundamentally altered his outlook.He acknowledges the joy they provided, but hints at a desire for something more.
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The Allure of the Vampire Ball: A Deep Dive

“Life is short and I need it to be calm and harmonious,” states the two-time winner of the musical Thália.
The Vampire Ball isn’t just a theatrical production; it’s a cultural phenomenon. This darkly romantic musical has captivated audiences with its blend of gothic aesthetics, compelling characters, and a surprisingly relatable exploration of desire and belonging.But what makes this particular story so enduringly popular? Let’s delve into the key elements that contribute to the Vampire Ball’s captivating appeal.
The Core Narrative: Beyond Good and Evil
At its heart,the Vampire Ball challenges traditional notions of good versus evil. While vampires are frequently enough portrayed as monstrous villains, this production presents them as complex beings driven by basic needs – primarily, the desire for connection and acceptance. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of the vampire existence, but it frames these traits as consequences of their nature, rather than inherent malice. this nuanced portrayal allows the audience to empathize with characters who might otherwise be considered irredeemable.
A Visual Feast: gothic Aesthetics and stagecraft
The production design is crucial to the Vampire Ball’s success. The sets, costumes, and lighting all contribute to a rich, immersive gothic atmosphere. Expect elaborate ballrooms, shadowy corridors, and costumes that blend Victorian elegance with a touch of macabre flair. The visual elements aren’t merely decorative; they actively enhance the storytelling, creating a world that feels both fantastical and strangely believable. the attention to detail is remarkable, drawing the audience deeper into the vampire’s world.
Music and Choreography: A Dance of Darkness
The musical score is a powerful force in the Vampire Ball. It seamlessly blends classical influences with contemporary sounds, creating a soundscape that is both haunting and exhilarating. The choreography is equally impressive,featuring a mix of graceful waltzes and more dynamic,sensual movements.The dances aren’t just entertainment; they’re a form of dialog, revealing the characters’ emotions and relationships. The music and choreography work in perfect harmony to create a truly unforgettable experience.
this can also be applied to the Vampire Ball, where the good will not win, but the evil will. However, they like it.
even though vampires are the bad guys to our world,all they want is love. So it ends up being a decadent celebration of the vampire’s alluring depravity. And the viewer can choose whether it turned out well or badly.
Why the Vampire Ball Resonates Today
In a world often characterized by division and alienation, the Vampire ball offers a compelling message of acceptance and belonging. The vampires, despite their differences, create a community where they can be themselves. This theme resonates deeply with audiences who may feel marginalized or misunderstood. Furthermore, the exploration of desire and the blurring of moral boundaries taps into a universal fascination with the darker aspects of human nature.
Key Takeaways
- The Vampire Ball presents a nuanced portrayal of vampires, challenging traditional good versus evil narratives.
- Its stunning visual design and immersive atmosphere are central to its appeal.
- The music and choreography enhance the storytelling, creating a powerful emotional experience.
- The themes of acceptance and belonging resonate with contemporary audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is the Vampire Ball scary?
- While the production features dark themes and gothic imagery, it’s not intended
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