Martin Sládeček: Everybody Hurts
A preview of the interview between dramaturge Veronika Onheiserová and the dramaturge of the upcoming production Everybody Hurts, who is also the artistic director of the Husa na provázku Theater, Martin Sládeček.
Veronika Onheiserová: Martin, where did the idea come from for your production team to put your trust in people’s stories and organize the nationwide survey “Every Story Counts”?
Martin Sládeček: Where? At Provázek, of course. At a theater that doesn’t limit its programming to the canon of plays, but instead tirelessly seeks out anything and everything that can serve as inspiration and material for its stage: whether it’s unstageable novels, internet blogs, current social or political issues, or Slovakia’s biggest hits. We had already tried gathering material here in the form of a small survey with director Jan Mikulášek for our production of The Marx Family Saga. The responses collected from the people of Brno, which at the time mostly served to supplement the story of Karl Marx, were so interesting (unexpectedly funny, touching, inspiring…) that we began to consider whether we should expand on the survey concept next time. And in the end… we did. And on such a large scale that we later regretted it in some ways. There were so many stories…! And just think of all the productions that could have been created based on them?!
Everybody Hurts wraps up the 2025–26 season called Don't Worry, Don't Worry! —what piece of the puzzle does it represent this season?
Absolutely essential. In times of social, economic, and political crisis, we wanted to focus our attention not only on the trials we face as individuals and as a community, but especially on what gives us the courage to overcome hardship and suffering. With the production of Everybody Hurts, which concludes the season, we are attempting to create a space for seeking, exploring, and sharing what strengthens us. We also hope that through nearly a year of research and the accompanying campaign for the production, we have managed to bring a little strength and inspiration to the social discourse. We truly need them!
You can find the full interview in the printed program for the production of Everybody Hurts.
The premiere of the production will take place on June 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Husa na provázku Theater.