Even frequent ventilation would not relieve the tense atmosphere in the theater! Many actors from the SND Drama have the general director Zuzana Ťapáková in their teeth. They blame her for going hand in hand with the representatives of the Ministry of Culture, who, according to them, are trying to silence critics of the government and liquidate the artistic environment in Slovakia. Ťapáková rejected similar accusations of censorship, saying that she is not acting on the orders of Minister Martina Šimkovičová and her team and that she is taking steps in her capacity to keep the coat of arms institution in good financial and personnel condition during the challenging times of ubiquitous consolidation. But the tension behind the walls of the theater persists.
Two prominent actors from SND recently shook their legs on the chair under Ťapáková in protest. Robert Roth not only has a charismatic voice, but he also knows how to impress without saying anything. Over the weekend, he went on stage wearing a controversial t-shirt with a crossed out GR during the final bow after the premiere of the Life of Galileo production. “It should remind the importance of Bertolt Brecht’s play as a means of critical thinking and social engagement,” appeared on Robert Roth’s Facebook profile.
In this context, GR apparently refers to the words “general director”, which Roth sent a clear message to the management. The action caused an immediate reaction. Slovak National Theaters according to it ensured that the actor’s rebellion was lost under the black earth. In the video from the final “worship”, which the theater published on its social networks, one couple was cut out. It was Alexander Bárta and the aforementioned Robert Roth in a protest T-shirt.
Roth’s colleague Richard Stanke, who is also part of the SND Drama ensemble, did not put a napkin in front of his mouth either. In an interview, he stated that Zuzana Ťapáková interferes in the events of the institution. “I can’t imagine that the previous directors – be it Drlička, Antala or Chudovský – would start talking about how I don’t like this, this game, what are you playing here,” revealed what is supposed to be happening behind the SND curtain. According to him, the general director should also be hindered by the cast. “Well, the ones who were released, as it were. She said that these actors will continue to be perfectly fine to rehearse in other projects that are being prepared because the directors have chosen them“, Stanke described the original intention of the management.
According to him, the reality is different. “Suddenly there is a problem with Roman Poláčik, that in the game Amateurs, that they ask him not to play. Well then, what is this, like normalization, or worse than normalization. These are things that no CEO has ever done before. It’s absurd, that’s what the dramaturgs are there for, to talk to the person who is supposed to be, that this person should not play there,” he said angrily. The actor declared that Ťapáková should also have problems with the themes of the performances. “With some, yes, that this will be sad, this will be a tragedy,” surprised Stanke with his words. Koktejl.sk asked the head of SND Zuzana Ťapáková for an opinion on the harsh accusations. She did not respond to questions by the deadline. We will add her possible reaction.
