The Virgin, the Warrior, and the Martyr: With actresses portraying Joan of Arc at HaDivadlo theater about the triune character
HaDivadlo presented its first premiere under new artistic leadership. Jana Vaverková, Jan Doležel, and Justina Grecová are also responsible for writing and directing the production of Jane of Arc. It is based on the original legend, but also draws inspiration from contemporary pop icons. What was the approach of actresses Magdalena Kuntová, Ema Lovecká, and Šimona Horynová in creating the triune main character?
production of Jane of Arc, HaDivadlo
Photo: Alžběta Drcmánková
What was the creative process like when portraying the "triune" character? Was the creation of Jane based more on finding contrasts or a common rhythm?
Šimona: From the beginning of rehearsals, we worked with gestures, which I think intuitively led us to contrast. As inspiration, the directing tandem chose one contemporary pop singer for each of us to accompany our individual characters, which naturally gave us each a different energy. I think our portrayal of Jane is a combination of the contrasts between each of us and a shared intense presence, which creates the impression of a single character.
Ema: Each Jane is specific in a different way, but it's only one part of her, so we looked for the energy of each part and at the same time how to connect them so that they would come together to form the one Jane.
Magdalena: Each of the three Janes also has her "prime time" at a different stage of her life. This was the starting point for exploring and shaping her inner world. For example, in the case of Jane the Virgin, this triune nature is most natural and fluid, because this is a period full of inspiration and faith in herself and the future. She is connected to her voices, finds support and courage within herself to act and "step into the light." With Jane the Warrior, there is noticeable tension due to battle, the enforcement of military tactics, communication with soldiers, men. The trinity of Janas here functions more as an advisory body. Jane the Martyr has been betrayed by King Charles, whom she helped ascend to the throne, and is deeply disappointed by the reversal of her fortune into failure and is in intense uncertainty. Compared to the previous phases, she is most orphaned here, and the remaining Janes appear only at the end, at the very limit of her strength.
Ema Lovecká as Jane the Worrior, HaDivadlo
Photo: Hana Kubrichtová, David Stejskal
The production uses pop icons as archetypes. Which musical or pop culture reference helped you personally understand "your" Jane the most, and why? How do you identify with pop icons?
M: Jane the Virgin is based on Lana Del Rey, especially the music video High By The Beach. Personally, I was captivated by the music videos Born to Die and National Anthem, where her decisive passivity, which could be used to characterize the character of Jane the Virgin, is most evident. Lana Del Rey has a distinctive, ostentatious "doll-like" quality, melancholy in her expression and flow of gestures, which complete the impression of fatality in her statements.
Š: Personally, I've never had a tendency to identify with famous performers, so this connection is something new for me. For Jane the Martyr, we chose to be inspired by the young singer Billie Eilish, who I personally find striking for her "ordinariness," humanity, and fearlessness.
E: Charli XCX is closest to Jane the Warrior, so she was the biggest inspiration. Personally, I just go with the flow and perceive the situation according to my current mood.
Magdalena Kuntová as Jane the Virgin, HaDivadlo
Photo: Hana Kubrichtová, David Stejskal
The production raises the question of what we believe in today. If you had to give today's audience a single "message from Jane" that you yourselves took away from the creative process, what would it be?
E: Reinforcements are always welcome! Let's go together!
Š: I think it's important to believe in your mission and stick to your vision. Don't stray from the path, be brave, and persevere.
M: That one should dare to be great, to fight for one's values. Even at the cost of not (seemingly) ending up well or not leading to a happy ending. The fact that Jane was ultimately burned at the stake does not mean that she, her actions, and the events of that time were not great. And that it was meaningless.
Šimona Horynová as Jane the Martyr, HaDivadlo
Photo: Hana Kubrichtová, David Stejskal
The production of Jane of Arc premiered at HaDivadlo on November 21, 2025, as the first premiere of Season 51: Collective and as the first premiere of the theater's new artistic leadership – the collective of Justina Grecová, Jan Doležel, and Jana Vaverková.