Ladislav Špiner Stars in Novel Production of ‘Frederick’ at Pardubice Theatre
Pardubice, Czech Republic – A new production of Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s play, Frederick, has premiered at the Východočeské divadlo (East Bohemian Theatre) in Pardubice, featuring Ladislav Špiner in the titular role. The play, a romantic and comedic exploration of theatre and acting, marks the fourth collaboration between director Radovan Lipus and the Pardubice ensemble.
A Play Inspired by a 19th-Century Star
Frederick is based on the life of Frédéric Lemaître (1800-1876), a celebrated French actor of the Romantic period. The play follows Lemaître primarily in 1832, at the peak of his career, with flashbacks to his childhood and glimpses into the future. Known for his flamboyant personality and ability to transform even lackluster dramas into captivating performances, Lemaître was a popular figure on the Parisian stage.
Czech Premiere and Previous Productions
The play was originally written by Schmitt for Jean-Paul Belmondo. The Czech premiere of Frederick took place in 2004 at Prague’s Divadlo ABC, with Boris Rösner in the lead role. However, the production has not been staged in the Czech Republic since Rösner’s death two years later. Director Radovan Lipus noted a desire to bring French culture and plays back into the Czech theatrical landscape.
The Pardubice Production
The current production features a cast including Petra Janečková, Veronika Malá, Petr Dohnal, Petr Borovec, Alexandr Postler and Tomáš Lněnička. Marta Roszkopfová designed the sets and costumes, and Pavel Helebrand composed the music. The play emphasizes strong storytelling, well-developed characters, and effective dialogue, eschewing modern theatrical elements like video projections in favor of a more traditional approach.
Performance Dates
Following its February premiere, Frederick will have further performances on March 11th and April 4th at the Východočeské divadlo Pardubice.
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