The premiere of the dramatic work Wolf’s Pit – a story from a small-town hell took place at the Divadlo v Dlouhé

The Divadlo v Dlouhé recently hosted the premiere of a new dramatic production, Vlčí jáma, which brings a dark story from a small-town setting to the stage. Inspired by the literary work by Jarmila Glazarová, this work opens a view into the psychological depths of an ordinary home, where tensions and unspoken life tragedies hide beneath the surface of apparent order. Vlčí jáma offers viewers not only a powerful small-town story, but also a reflection on the social ties and destinies that shape individuals in Czech culture and drama.

The premiere of Vlčí jáma at the Divadlo v Dlouhé as a significant event in Czech theater

The new adaptation of Vlčí jáma, directed by Martin Františák, is a complex dramatic work that uses psychological tension and lyrical language to bring the story of a small-town anxious world to life. In 2025, the Divodlo v Dlouhé confirms its place as a dramaturgical pillar of Czech culture, unafraid of challenges and profound literary texts. The psychological drama tells the story of the despotic Aunt Klára, her young husband and ward Jana, bringing a sharp look at relationships, possessive love and personal tragedies to the small-town world.

Masterful acting deepens character nuances in the small-town drama Vlčí jáma

The acting in the production of Wolf’s Pit at the Divadlo v Dlouhé is extremely expressive and multi-layered. Helena Čermáková impressed upon the character of Aunt Klára not only her petty-bourgeois lady with her famous demands for order and cleanliness, but also her inner strength and loneliness. Her blood relationship to life mixes with the tyrannical and selfish aspects of love, which creates a complicated psychological portrait. Jan Vondráček as the young husband and Veronika Lazorčáková as the observant ward of Jana complement the dramatic intensity of the narrative, which explores the power and emotional ties within the household.

Adaptation of Jarmila Glazarová’s literary work as a bridge between classics and contemporary Czech culture

Transforming Wolf’s Pit from a literary model to the stage was not an easy challenge. Director Martin Františák accepted it thanks to the attractive psychological themes and dramatic depth, which are expressed in the language of today’s thriller. This small-town drama resonates even today, reflecting on issues of identity, power, and relationships within family and society. Františák’s approach and the dramaturgical supervision of Martina Ljubková and Štěpán Otčenášek help the Divadlo v Dlouhé maintain the high standard of Czech theater, which develops important discussions about personal and social topics through its work.

Significant elements of the production – music, set design, and directorial concept

Jiří Hájek’s musical accompaniment adds emotional intensity to the production, underlining the tension and atmosphere of small-town hell. Marek Cpin’s set design creates a visually suggestive environment that enhances the feeling of closure and psychological constriction. Martin Františák’s direction then focuses on opening up previously taboo topics of intimate touches and emotions, including bold scenes touching on the boundaries of relationships and family dynamics. This makes Wolf’s Pit not only a dramatic work, but also a current contribution to Czech theatrical discourse.