Samuel Špilar and Doubravka Dostálová: Debate for Puppets is not only about the topic, but also about encounters.
Starting this season, HaDivadlo is presenting a new accompanying program called Debate for Puppets. It tests how the hidden identity of the debaters affects the perception of their opinions. The anonymous guests in the discussion are represented by puppets acting as their avatars. The directing duo of Samuel Špilar and Doubravka Dostálová spoke with Tereza Turzíková not only about polyamory, which will be the topic of the first debate in Brno on October 9, 2025.
How would you describe Debate for Puppets to people hearing about it for the first time?
Doubravka and Sam: Debate for Puppets is based on anonymity. Anonymity is a secret, and secrets are an exclusive discipline in a world where everyone knows everything within five seconds. Just ask, and the AI overview will be the first thing that pops up in your browser. During the Debate, you have to wait to find out who the participants are, as they sit hidden in wooden booths. And you may never find out if the participants decide not to reveal their identities. Debate for Puppets is like Show Jana Krause without prejudice. We have puppets from Pavel Truhlář, just like Kraus, but unfortunately, we don't give them away.
Why polyamory as the topic for the Debate for Puppets? What do you find relevant or inspiring about it?
You know, what attracts us to this topic is the realization that it is quite difficult to rule out tendencies toward polyamory in anyone. We now feel that almost everyone has them. Let's ask all our readers this: Have you ever been attracted to more than one person at the same time?
Debate for puppets
Photo: Adéla Vosičková
The Debate for Puppets is moving partly to Brno's HaDivadlo theater, where it will premiere on October 9, 2025. They say Brno is small, everyone knows each other here... Do you think this is ideal ground for polyamory, or rather an obstacle?
When Chinaski sings the praises of Pálava, they say that they love beautiful women in the plural, not just one. The people of Brno are in the same region.
You are collaborating on the project as a directors duo – how is this similar to a romantic relationship?
Working relationships between two people often tend to fall into the personal, even romantic realm, but that's a bit basic. If our duo were synonymous with a romantic relationship, the HaDivadlo collective would be a polyamorous relationship. If the working commitment that our duo enters into with the management of HaDivadlo were synonymous with a romantic relationship, then we would be just a small step away from all being in one really big polyamorous relationship. Now that would be some serious fun!
Debate for puppets
Photo: Adéla Vosičková
Why should someone who is not interested in polyamory and is hesitant to participate come to the Debate for Puppets?
Because the Debate is not only about the topic, but also about the meeting and its format. This can make even an area that is not strictly within our sphere of interest more attractive. Anonymity allows us to observe what happens to us when we listen to the opinions of people we cannot see. The moderators and puppeteers keep the evening entertaining, accompanied by music from Tokyo Drift. What more could you wish for? In addition, we believe that it is enriching to learn about any topic from people who live it.
Debate for Puppets also has a special version designed for high school audiences. Where do you think the feeling of awkwardness ends and real openness begins in discussions about intimacy and serious topics among young people?
We believe that the feeling of awkwardness is not conditioned by the topic. We have never had any students reflect this to us. I can imagine that awkwardness arises from the way the topic is communicated or the means by which it interacts with the audience. For Debates intended for minors, one of our main conditions is to establish a safe environment. We try to make the debates spicy, but not invasive. The Debate is followed by a lecture program that guides students through the topic and helps them settle in. The program does not focus on the personal level of the participants so that no one feels awkward or uncomfortable.
Doubravka Dostálová a Samuel Špilar
Photo: Alžběta Drcmánková
Debate for Puppets on the topic of Polyamory? will be premiered by HaDivadlo on October 9, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. It will be moderated by Jana Vaverková, Aicha Roubíčková, and Timofej Kožuchov. The puppets will be operated by David Bolech, Jáchym Sůra, and Ema Lovecká. The first high school debate will take place on October 10, 2025, with the subtitle and topic Are you seeing someone already?