Actor’s Association Protests Director’s Dismissal at Prague‘s Viola Theater
Prague, Czech Republic – The Czech acting association has voiced strong opposition to the recent dismissal of Klára Cibulková as director of the Viola Theater in Prague, effective September 24th.Association President Ondřej Kepka is demanding the theater’s Board of Directors publicly explain the decision.
According to a statement released by Martina Němečková on behalf of the association, Kepka expects a detailed justification for Cibulková’s removal. “Especially when this happened at the beginning of the planned season, which looked extremely attractive and returned to the best roots of this theater,” Kepka stated. “We expect the Board specifically comment on this step and explain why it happened and what it has to damage theater.”
The Board, led by Chairman Michal Švorc, cited failure to fulfill duties, interaction shortcomings, and lack of cooperation as reasons for the dismissal in a statement to CTK. Cibulková has refuted these claims, stating she addressed and apologized for a single instance of misconduct by the Board.
The dismissal has sparked public outcry, with an online petition garnering over 860 signatures as of today, calling for a re-evaluation of the Board’s decision. The board of Directors plans to announce a tender for a new director in October, according to Švorc.
The Viola Theater, a registered institute operating from a small venue on prague’s Národní třída, holds a significant place in Czech cultural history. Kepka described it as a “genius loci” where “a theater miracle takes place.”
founded 60 years ago as the poetic wine bar Viola, the establishment was spearheaded by literary historian Vladimir Justl, who led it from 1965 until the early 1990s.Throughout the 1960s and 90s, Viola evolved from a hub for poetry and music to a chamber theater showcasing diverse dramatic works, ultimately leading to its renaming as the Viola theater. Cibulková is known to wider audiences for her roles in television series including Kukačka,Nurses,and Surgery in the rose Garden 2.