Trees as a dramatic and performative metaphorJežková, Petra (Avtor) Zajec, Urška (Prevajalec povzetka) ecology and theatretrees on stagepostdramatic theatremetaphor of trees in dramaCzech dramaEuropean dramaTrees and their felling appear in classical drama across cultures as a frequent and uni- versally understandable metaphor for vulnerability, the fragility of order, and a threat to balance. In this context, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov’s play The Cherry Orchard comes to mind, but trees are also often symbolically felled in Czech classical drama. However, the metaphor is clearly still relevant in today’s postdramatic theatre; it has been adopted by the performing arts, and trees are once again being felled not only on Czech stages but also on Nordic ones. The study interprets the spread, age, and communicability of this theatrical metaphor as evidence of the essential connection between humans and eco- logical issues. This connection suggests that ecological concerns in theatre are not merely a recent trend, even though ecological themes have understandably become increasingly prominent in recent decades. The study therefore provides a brief overview of ecology in Czech theatre in recent de- cades from both perspectives. It also examines the range and resonance of the scenic metaphor of trees and the interesting coincidence that it became the main theme of two theatre productions, one Czech and one Norwegian. Finally, it presents historical exam- ples illustrating the strong tradition and potential of this metaphor in selected Czech and European drama.20262026-09-21 12:30:33Članek v reviji188352UDK: 792.01(437.3+481):821.09:502ISSN pri članku: 1855-4539DOI: 10.51937/Amfiteater-2026-1/68-90COBISS_ID: 288411395sl