Nightingale for Dinner

Josef Topol

SLAVÍK K VEČEŘI (Nightingale for Dinner)

A play in a dream

2 men, 3 women

A one-act play, Vaclav Havel´s favourite of his friend´s works. It is normally classified as belonging to the works of Czech absurd theatre. A family supper, to which Mr. Nightingale has been invited, has as tragic an end for the guest as the life of every man. It is only the prospect of death which gives life meaning...or vice versa.

Every speech in Topol´s black comedy acquires existential dimensions - a method reminiscent of Kafka, Pinter and Beckett.

When it was first produced in 1967, the play did not meet with great critical enthusiasm. The ensuing period of censorship did not allow Nightingale for Supper to become an inspiration for other playwrights.

Translated into English, German and French.