May 7, 2008

It is surprising news because the author (Vaclav Havel, 71) wrote the "Leaving" (Odchazeni) a specially for his wife Dasa (Dagmar, 55) to play the main roll Irene. Its production was subject to about a year of negotiations, first with the theatre on "Mirak" in Prague

From left: Eleanor Schrabal, Dasa (Dagmar) Havel, Marie Doubek in front of the Natinal Hall, 73rd Street, Manhattan, NYC 7/31/2000(Photo js)

(also known as Vinohradske divadlo), Dasa's home stage before she became Mrs. Havel and the first lady of the Czech Republic,then with the National Theatre. The Na Zábradlí was also considered. Finally the director of the Vinohrady's Archa Ondrej Hrab convinced the author that he is able to fulfill all the requirement of the play's producer David Radok. Premier of the play is on May 22 this year and replacement for the main roll of Irene will be Zuzana Svitinova, that was originally to play the roll of Bey.

Reason for Dasa's leaving the "Leaving" was indicated as her health condition.

This is another surprise since only a moth ago it was revealed that in addition to the Dasa's main roll in the Leaving she is returning on projection screen of movies and already started in a thriller of Julius Sevcik the Normal where she is an emotionally strife-torn wife of multiple killer in Germany (prior to Hitler). If she will be able to continue filming was not disclosed.

The Leaving is a story of a man leaving a high-ranking political post.

Author of the Leaving is not leaving

Vaclav Havel (71) somehow stepped into a background of events after he left the Czech presidency (2003). But lately he started to comment on happenings and was subject to numerous news attesting that he did not leave and that he is not leaving. Last year his book Memoirs from the Castle was re-published in French and Polish and the festival of Havel's plays in New York during his four months residency at the Columbia University had a great response. See photo of the Three Presidents at the Columbia University HERE

Leaving, the first new play by Vaclav Havel in nearly 20 years, will receive its

From left: Custodian of the NYC National Hall, Dasa (Dagmar) Havel, Vaclav Havel, Eleanor Schrabal - 7/31/2000 (Photo js)

English-language premiere this autumn at London's Richmond Orange Tree Theatre, where it will start performances on September 19th 2008 as part of a three-month season celebrating the work of the Czech playwright and former president. The Orange Tree's association with Vaclav Havel dates back to 1977. Details HERE.

Now, also in California, the Eastenders Repertory Company will show Havel's work at the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay through three plays, 'Audience,' 'Unveiling' and 'Protest'all with the central character of Vanek, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. For detail click HERE.

Josef Schrabal

BACK to main menu