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Drama

Vassa Zheleznova

Maxim Gorky

“What with your power? There's no one left to boss around.”

The Estates Theatre
English surtitles
Suitable for graduation

Basic information

Venue

The Estates Theatre

Approximate running time

2 hours, no intermission

Language

In Czech, surtitles in English

Premiere

October 27, 2021

The story of a woman who takes control over her family and ultimately leads her relatives to ruin most recently appeared on a Czech stage three decades ago.

Cast

  • 2024-2025
  • 2025-2026

Creatives

Edited using a translation by Alena Machoninová
Marta LjubkováJan Frič
Stage director
Jan Frič
Dramaturgy
Marta Ljubková
Costumes
Marek Cpin
Light design
Přemysl Janda
Translation of English surtitles
Alžběta Soperová

About

Vassa Zheleznova is a businesswoman.
Vassa Zheleznova is a mother.
Vassa Zheleznova’s husband is dying.
Vassa Zheleznova’s children are no good.
Luckily, her oldest daughter returns from abroad and perhaps could set things right.
Is there any FUTURE for Vassa Zheleznova? 

Is there any future for us? How should it look like? “Life is more than just work” says the current generation (as well as one of the characters in the play); “but what is life, then?” asks Vassa. And we pose the same question.

Gorky’s characters have been expecting a turn of events – they’ve sensed it but couldn’t name it or foresee the consequences. Our current situation is quite similar, we know something is happening – something must happen! – but we don’t know what and how.

It might seem depressive, but it’s actually rather comic. Or horror. This situation certainly allows us to play with the genre, laugh at ourselves, and then wait all together for the future to come – it is nigh, but we have no idea what it’ll bring about.

Official photos: Patrik Borecký

WARNING: We use fire gun during the performance.
Suitable for audience from 14 years.

The production has become the Production of the Year 2021 at the Theatre Critics Awards, based on the annual poll announced by the magazine Svět a divadlo.

Photo and video gallery

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Goods detail

Vassa Zheleznova Programme

A booklet for the production of Vassa Zheleznova

95 Kč

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Partners
Vassa Zheleznova
National Theatre Benefactors Club

Practical information

Where to buy tickets

When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.

The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance - currently for April–September 2025.
Sales always start on the 1st day of the month at 9am, except in January when pre-sales do not start until the 2nd day due to a public holiday.

What to wear?

By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.

Parking at the Estates Theatre

Unfortunately, there is no parking near The Estates Theater. You can use the guarded parking lot in the Kotva shopping center (Revoluční 1/655, Prague 1) and Paladium (Na Poříčí 1079 / 3a, Prague 1).

Buffets at the Estates Theater

No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!

Menu (PDF, 60 kB)