The Feasting Politics. Few Cases from the Postwar Czech Theatre

Abstract

The sketch is devoted to five post-war Czech theatrical plays in which the motifs of the feast and alcohol are the signs of belonging or not belonging to the specified community and in most cases intertwine with the theme of politics: Audience of V. Havel, Švejkův vnuk of L. Balák, Nože a růže aneb topless party of M. Urban, Růže pro Marketu of M. Viewegh and Nahniličko of I. Kraus. The analysis is based mainly on the antropological models of feast offered by Michael Dietler, Brian Hayden and Claude Grignon, but their model of ‘diacritic feast’ is modified for the needs of the sketch. In the above mentioned dramas, the way of feasting and the favourite type of alcohol indicates the position of the character as the ‘stranger’ (like in Audience, Švejkův vnuk) or the ‘ruler’, ‘leader’ (Nože a růže anebo topless party). Drinking alcohol provides also a specific dramatic rhythm. Additionaly in Viewegh’s and Kraus’ play the state of intoxication metaphorizes the “abnormal” period of velvet revolution or the transformation. The ritual of feasting organizes the scenery, rhythm and movement of characters, activating a number of cultural associations. The gradual “opening” of the characters, caused by changes in their consciousness, reveals inner motivation, unmask the superficiality of the bond, conduct a parallel between the individual and the collective imagery.