Recital Marta: Kubišová would be hard pressed to find a better representative

The Marta recital had its premiere on June 9, 2022, in the presence of Kubišová herself, whose fate is presented to the audience in an almost three-hour mosaic of popular songs, dance and drama performances. But does the third entry into the river of Musea Kampa’s Summer Scene make sense? Does it offer anything new than the previous performances of Meda and Werich? If you like the personality or compositions of the real Marta Kubišová, this production is for you. Everyone then awaits the discovery of the ingredients on which the show stands and falls. But keep in mind that this is still a recital, not a theatrical performance. This detail is important.

If we are to start with the best, then it is definitely worth mentioning the representative of the main character, Berenik Kohoutová. She proves absolutely naturally and without hesitation that in every generation you can find an exceptional personality and a multi-genre artist. Kohoutová has already shown in film and television (where she has had more chances so far) that she can handle both comic and dramatic positions, that he can work with emotions and also sing (really great), which is not so obvious for actors in our region. With the character of Marty, she faced a difficult task. To portray a woman who is loved by the nation, who perhaps has no negative qualities, and at the same time remains human and modest throughout her life. You will really recognize Kubišová in Kohoutová’s performance. It’s like going back in time. The actress does not use exaggerated gestures, does not shout from the stage “look, I am SHE”. Completely in the service of the narrative, it presents events that we know, but only now see. It makes you laugh, it touches you, it caresses you. He easily wins the stage and the audience, he is literally the alpha and omega of the entire production.

Jan Cina in the role of Václav Neckář or Petr Stach, who portrays other characters in addition to being a member of the orchestra, are capable teammates of the Kohouts. Even with them, it has long been indisputable how good they are in their profession. Although Stach prefers dramatic rather than comedic positions. This team is completed by Igor Orozovič (with whom Kohoutová will soon appear in the film Řekni to psem). Actually, these four would be enough for the production to end with applause from the audience. However, this is not the case, the show also has its dark side.

Marta: The Summer Scene of the Kampa Museum presents a recital about the exceptional Marta Kubišová with Berenika Kohoutová and the alternating Hana Holišová in the lead role.

Author: Summer scene of Kampa Museum, Petr Kadlec

One of the most important is the script by Daniela Sodomová and the dramaturgy, which does not help her in any way. The composition of the production has been repeated since Meda according to the same outline. Anyone who has seen the screenwriter’s previous performance at Kampa (she wrote all of them) is no longer surprised by anything. He anticipates, he is three steps ahead. Regardless of the fact how beautiful the idea is to remember important personalities in the form of a stage project, thanks to the little changeable form of the individual pieces, it begins the repertoire of scenes to resemble the show Your face has a familiar voice (not only by the cast). The factory’s same production principle spoils the enchantment experienced by visitors with Kampa’s first product, Meda.

If we are talking about dramaturgy, it is a pity that there is no film editor in the theater. If the recital was at least half an hour shorter, it would have benefited him. For example, the moment when the Golden Nightingale is presented on the stage, it really settles the already-running show. Then there is the scene, economical, almost unchanging. Here, however, it is necessary to realize that it is precisely a recital. The scenography thus allows the characters to stand out, it does not overwhelm the plot. But during a long performance, it can contribute to the fact that the audience starts to get bored.

Check out footage from Marta’s recital:

Another, but also important, stumbling block is the filling of some roles. Zuzana Stavná, who plays Helena Vondráčková, has completed an acting conservatory in Košice and studied drama at DAMU. But it is her lack of singing that hurts in this role. Whatever we think of Vondráčková, one cannot deny her artistic professionalism and perfect singing. An actress who can’t manage one long straight clear note in her role really shouldn’t be playing her. Similarly, musician and actor Vojtěch Havelka is a nice guy who has no problem with the stage. However, as a performer representing Karel Gott, he burns like paper.

Despite these criticisms, Marta’s recital is worth seeing. Berenika Kohoutová makes up for all of them, as has already been said, at every moment when the spoken text and famous songs of Kubišová sound from her mouth. A similarly perched voice gives new life to their lyrics, their meaning, their notoriety. Marta on the stage of Kampa can “resonate” deep into the heart, sparkle and warm. He asserts that it was worth waiting and enduring the pandemic break to restart the culture.

Rating: 70%

Recital Marta

Premiere: 9/6/2022, LS Musea Kampa

Director: Adéla Laštovková Stodolová • Screenplay: Daniela Sodomová • Set: Jaroslav Wertig • Costumes: David Janošek • Music: Petr Zeman • Singing production: Linda Finková, Petr Zeman • Dramaturgy: Jana Slouková • Choreography: Linda Rančáková.

Playing and singing (in alternation): Berenika Kohoutová & Hana Holišová (Marta), Sara Sandeva & Zuzana Stavná (Helena), Jan Cina & Denis Šafařík (Vašek) and others.

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