An evening featuring Spejbl and Hurvinek – the beloved marionette comedy duo from Prague, whose witty father–son banter has delighted audiences worldwide for over a century.

Program

• A talk exploring The Spejbl and Hurvinek Theatre’s rich history against the sociopolitical backdrop of Czechoslovakia from the 1920s to today.

• Selected scenes performed in English, showcasing the duo’s humor and subtle voice of resistance during times of censorship and persecution.

• Fascinating stories, including how the theater was shut down under the Nazi regime and how, in 2022, a glass figurine of Hurvinek traveled aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Czech Planetum-1 satellite mission.

Spejbl was sculpted by woodcarver Karel Nosek in 1920, based on Josef Skupa’s design. Conceived in the Dadaist spirit, Spejbl is dressed in a tuxedo with tails, snow-white gloves and wooden shoes; in contrast, the character is bald-headed, with large ears and protruding eyes. This opposition between different social symbols is also expressed in the puppet's personality: a simple man, clumsy, opinionated, mired in contradictions, and torn between his social ambitions and his limited capabilities. The Hurvinek puppet was carved in 1926 by Gustav Nosek. His appearance – peculiar movable eyes, a tuft of dishevelled hair, dressed in short pants held up by suspenders – gave Hurvinek the appearance of a rascally suburban street urchin.

Free and open to the public. Suggested donation: $15. Seats are limited, on first-come first-served basis.

This event is organized by the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU), New York Chapter, with support of BBLA and Marta Kotyza.