A scrapbook as an original source of research on the Czech interwar theatre Avant-Garde

Ježková, Petra (author), Zajec, Urška (resume translator)

In the Library of the Theatre Institute in Prague, there are the so-called Rádl’s albums, scrapbooks with photographs from productions, dramatic texts, costume designs, clippings and inscriptions, which authentically describe the work of leading Czech interwar avant-garde theatre artists. They are evidence of the period’s enchantment with improvisation, play, lightness and style that crossed all boundaries. This original source will shortly be presented as an excellent means of interpreting and correcting interpretations of the Czech interwar avant-garde, including the potential to show its greatest strengths, as well as its weaknesses and limitations.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Czech theatre interwar avant-garde, Prague, Liberated Theatre (Osvobozené divadlo), Bedřich Rádl, Oto Rádl, scrapbook
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: AGRFT - Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 78-96
• Numbering: Let. 13, št. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-179017
• UDC: 792.07(437.3Praga)Rádl B.
• ISSN on article: 1855-4539
• DOI: 10.51937/Amfiteater-2025-1/78-96
• COBISS.SI-ID: 240676099
• Publication date in RUL: 03.02.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Amfiteater : revija za teorijo scenskih umetnosti
• Publisher: Akademija za gledališče, radio, film in televizijo, Društvo gledaliških kritikov in teatrologov Slovenije, Akademija za gledališče, radio, film in televizijo, Društvo gledaliških kritikov in teatrologov Slovenije, Akademija za gledališče, radio, film in televizijo, Slovenski gledališki inštitut, Slovenski gledališki inštitut, = Slovenian Theatre Institute, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani, = University of Ljubljana Press
• ISSN: 1855-4539
• COBISS.SI-ID: 239685632

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Kolažni album kot izvirni vir za raziskovanje češke medvojne gledališke avantgarde

Abstract

V Knjižnici Gledališkega inštituta v Pragi hranijo tako imenovane Rádlove albume – zvezke s kolaži, v katerih najdemo fotografije gledaliških predstav, dramska besedila, kostumske skice, izrezke iz časopisov in zapise. Ponujajo nam avtentičen vpogled v način dela vodilnih predstavnikov češke medvojne gledališke avantgarde. V njih se odraža navdušenje nad improvizacijo, igro, lahkotnostjo in slogom, ki preči vsakršne meje. Članek na kratko predstavi to izvirno referenco kot odličen vir za razlago češke medvojne avantgarde, pa tudi za korekcijo njenih obstoječih interpretacij, saj osvetljuje njene najmočnejše vidike, pa tudi šibke točke in omejitve.

• Keywords: češka medvojna gledališka avantgarda, Praga, Osvobojeno gledlaišče (Osvobozené divadlo), Bedřich Rádl, Oto Rádl, kolažni album