A distinctive blend of humor and sonic experimentation defines Třináctery hodiny, a fairy-tale parody based on the works of British humorist James Thurber. The production, a “sound grotesque” from the archives of Czech radio, eschews traditional foley work in favor of a unique approach where the actors themselves create the sound effects.
- Original Recording: 1999
- Director: Karel Weinlich
- Writer: Jitka Škápíková (based on James Thurber)
- Lead Cast: Jiří Langmajer, Boris Rösner, Simona Stašová, and Tomáš Töpfer
A Subversion of Fairy Tale Tropes
The narrative centers on a frozen kingdom ruled by a tyrannical Ice Duke and his network of spies. The Duke, who recognizes no authority but his own, keeps Princess Saralinda captive in his icy chambers as his sole source of warmth. The plot follows a wandering bard known as Zpěvoch—who is secretly Prince Zorn of Zorna, though he is initially unaware of his true identity—as he attempts to rescue the princess.
Adding a layer of whimsy and irony to the journey is the fairy-tale goblin Golux, who possesses the knowledge of the prince’s true lineage and guides the narrative.
Performance and Production
The production is noted for its strong comedic performances and atmospheric sound design. Boris Rösner portrays the Ice Duke as the embodiment of fairy-tale evil, while Jiří Langmajer plays Prince Zorn in a state of perpetual amazement. Tomáš Töpfer provides a mild, ironic detachment to the role of Golux, and Simona Stašová appears as Jaga, characterized by bursts of bubbly laughter.
Beyond the acting, the production’s technical framework was crafted by a specialized team, including dramaturgy by Václava Ledvinková, translation by Radoslav Nenadál, and music by Petr Mandel. The sound engineering was handled by Petr Šplíchal with cooperation from Jiří Suchánek.
