Besieged by the Nation of Playwrights : From the Writing Desk of the National Theatre Dramaturge at the end of the Nineteenth Century
Abstract
The number of plays submitted to the dramaturge of Prague National Theatre in the first years of its existence appears to be, from the current perspective, noteworthy at least. Most of the plays - i.e. those unaccepted, therefore unproduced and often unpublished - remain a mystery, and so do their authors.
Jan Lier, the last dramaturge of the early era of the National Theatre under the directorship of F. A. Šubert, left in his estate letters written by the authors who sought to be staged in the foremost Czech playhouse.
During Jan Lier's four-year dramaturgical term (1896-1900), 112 unsuccessful dramatic attempts can be found. The analysis of the correspondence provides us with interesting evidence revealing not only dramaturge's work, but also the remarkable creative upheaval stimulated by the ""Czech theatre temple"" long since its foundation.