Cursed master of Váh and the Tatras

In celebration of the 700^th anniversary of the death of Matúš Čák Trenčiansky, Divadelná spoločnosť z Prievidze and the museum of Trenčin in cooperation with TRAKT have prepared a series of performed night shows about the character of the famous owner of the Trenčín castle. He was idealized and romanticized by the Štúr group. But merciless and cruel in reality. Who was Matúš Čák Trenčiansky? Master of Váh and the Tatras, an important figure in the Slovak history. Knight surrounded with tales, about whom old songs were sung, an anonymous character up until now. Was he a hero, a warm-hearted person, a fearless nobleman or a master that was kind? Or was he a twice-cursed tyrant not repelled by murder, lies, tricks or promises that he could break? Famous romantic poets composed odes and novels to celebrate him but the church and his kings sent curses and hatred his way. Simple people warmed up under his governance but the nobility and those not in agreement were left with bloody tears to cry. Was he a religious and godly man who sung praises or was he a grinning murderer with a tanned face coming from the cathedral of Nitra? Who was he? We won´t find out today, only if asking the Death herself to arbitrate. History books describe him with sharp letters, but even there we can find kind and misunderstood spots. Legends put him on the pedestal though stories exist which send chills down the spines.

The theater exhibition about Matúš Čák Trenčiansky will tell a story that happened or maybe did not happen. It is not going to be a historical painting of facts, not even a lovely rhyme. We are meeting Matúš and his story somewhere in the middle. Up in his castle which has been towering above Trenčín up until now.

Who knows, maybe there will be some truth to our story…

20 artists perform in this play.

Screenplay, direction: Vojtech Bartko / Divadelná spoločnosť

The director of the play is an author of various international festivals of ghosts and bugbears on the castle in Bojnice (Strašidelný majáles – Frightening dance party, Prebudený les – Awakened forest, Krkavec – Raven, Prízrak – Phantom, Bosorka – Witch and other).

Dramaturgy, sound mixing: František Kňažovič

Visualization: Maxo Kormaňák

Costumes: Divadelná spoločnosť

Photo on the poster: DF Foto

Poster graphics: U maxa

Projection on the façade of Barbora´s Palace: TRAKT.