Martin Františák

The August Light (Srpnové světlo)

Some people live only to survive each other. Martin Františák's new play in which life is more than the details of dying.

Švandovo Theatre Ensemble

Show Length:	1 hr 30 min without intermission
Director:	Martin Františák
Premiere Date:	24. 9. 2022
Derniere Date:	2. 3. 2024

An original Czech drama set in the rocky mountains of the icy north, through which the August light relentlessly penetrates. The old days are ending, and at the last, really last moment, the longed-for hope arrives. Karel and Ondřej live the rest of their youth in the abandoned farmhouse of their parents. They don't need a village to live, they don't need anything, they don't believe in anything. However, they shelter a runaway girl filled with brightness. One loves her, the other needs her. Mrs. Eklman, an old acquaintance, comes to cut everything apart.

What is it like when, we have to find a way forward, but we are at the edge of the icefall? You can jump, fly or sacrifice yourself or others.

A game about whether, for our own hope and happiness, we can do things during the day that we are afraid to think about at night.

Martin Františák wrote a text for the ensemble of the Švanda Theatre, which stylistically follows on from his previous award-winning plays The Bride or Karla. Again, he focuses on heroes outside the focus of society and contrasts his poetic language reminiscent of the best tradition of Czech drama with the almost grotesque simplicity and cruelty of everyday life.

CHARACTERS AND CAST
KAREL: Matěj Anděl
ONDŘEJ/CHRISTIAN: Jan Mansfeld
EKLMAN: Bohdana Pavlíková
PASTOR: Marie Štípková
ELI: Anežka Šťastná

PRODUCTION TEAM
AUTHOR AND DIRECTOR: Martin Františák
DRAMATURGY: David Košťák
STAGE DESIGN AND COSTUMES: Eva Jiřikovská
MUSIC: Ondřej Mikula Aid Kid
STAGE MANAGER AND ASSISTANT TO DIRECTOR: Petra Štanclová
PRODUCTION: Tereza Marková