GOULD-BERG VARIATIONS
Gould-berg Variations is an ultimately serious and occasionally funny stage performance starring classical pianist Radka Hanakova and contemporary dancer Eliska Benesova.
Inspired by the legend that J.S. Bach’s famous Goldberg Variations were originally written as treatment for insomnia, the piece attempts to do everything possible NOT to make its audience fall asleep. What starts as a proper classical music concert, full of respect and poise, quickly turns into a humorous exploration of possibilities, inviting the audience to enjoy the playfulness in Bach’s music. As the name suggests, Gould-berg Variations is also an homage to the eccentricity and humour of Canadian pianist Glenn Gould, who ultimately changed the way Bach is played and listened to. Directed by Canadian theatre artist Art Babayants, Gould-berg Variations playfully engages music, movement, objects and stage lights questioning how one should enjoy the eternal music of J.S. Bach in the 21st century.
- Duration: 1h45 minutes with one intermission
- Age: 7+
- Premiere: 29 September 2026 / 19:30, Divadlo Inspirace, Malostranské náměstí 258/13, 118 00 Prague 1 – Malá Strana
- Performances: 30 September, 1 October, 2 October 2026 / 19:30, Divadlo Inspirace, Malostranské náměstí 258/13, 118 00 Prague 1 – Malá Strana
Accompanying programme:
- Dance and music workshop for youth: Kulturní centrum Půda, Prague 6, 24 October 2026
- Work-in-progress performance and discussion: Komunitní prostor Smíchov, Prague 5, 15 September 2026 - detail
- Work-in-progress performance and discussion: Studio Truhlárna, Prague 3, 30 June 2026
- Work-in-progress performance and creative workshop: Day of Dance, Děčín Castle, 12 April 2026
- Work-in-progress performance and discussion: Duncan Centre Conservatory, Prague 4, 20 February 2026
CREDITS
- Direction and dramaturgy: Art Babayants
- Music: Johann Sebastian Bach
- Piano performance: Radka Hanáková
- Choreography and dance performance: Eliška Benešová
- Movement collaboration: Cécile Da Costa
- Lighting design: Art Babayants, Martin Bitala
- Set design: Martina Koblic Valterová, Josef Koblic
- Technical production: Martin Bitala
- Production and promotion: 23 Poems Collective z. s.
- Co-production: Toronto Laboratory Theatre
- Photography and video: Karolína Šnajdrová
The project is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the State Culture Fund of the Czech Republic, Prague 1 Municipal District, and le Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.
The project has also been supported by Divadlo Inspirace, Studio Truhlárna, Komunitní prostor Smíchov, Duncan Centre Conservatory.
