French Bulldog Starring on Theatre Stage

Never work with animals or children! Theatre of Antonín Dvořák in Příbram courageously broke this old theatrical rule. Stage manager Milan Schejbal decided to cast a French bulldog - our female Betty Boop - in the role of swamp dragon Errol in theatre adaptation of the fantasy "Guards! Guards!" of Terry Pratchett. Betty or Goodboy Bindle Featherstone of Quirm, aka Errol, accompanies two of main characters - Lady Sybil Deidre Olgivanna Ramkin (Helena Lapčíková), a swamp dragons breeder, and Captain Elanius (Lukáš Král), commander of the Night Watch - and becomes a catalyst of their approximation. Errol helps Captain Elanius to save swamp dragons of Lady Ramkin from fanatic citizens of Ankh-Morkpork and he self relieves the corrupted city of fearful dragon king tyranizing its inhabitants.

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Kateřina Baranowská, the scenographist, came out with the idea to engage a French bulldog. Stage manager Schejbal agreed, however well he understood all dangers and surprises such cast of an animal might bring. According to the spontaneous reaction of spectators, his decision seemed to be a happy one. He resisted well the temptation to let Betty act in scenes that might be too stressful or even dangerous for her and doubled her by symbols, for example by a flying plane-model. Betty self got adapted very quickly to the stage set and is looking forward to perform again. No wonder, as all actors and staff are playing with her, fondling her ears and offering her snacks and tidbits. Betty is a city sliker, familiar with dog-shows and city-traffic, and so she isn't afraid of crowds, noisy voices, music and all rush in the theatre. Her dragon costume is impressive but simple, all is sewed on a common dog harness and heating pants that Betty is well used to wear.
 

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Betty, alias Errol, appears on the stage first in hands of Lukáš Král, featuring Captain Elanius, and both regularly get big ovation from at first surprised but promptly excited audience. The best friend of Betty behind the scenes became Petr Beleš, a joyful guy featuring the Librarian of the Unseen University. Not an ordinary librarian - this of Ankh-Morkpork was transformed into an orangutan during a magic explosion few years ago. He discovered soon that being an orangutan brings certain advantages to him and refused to be transformed back into a human. 

The Czech professional premiere of "Guards! Guards!" was held in Theatre of Antonín Dvořák in Příbram on Thursday, 19 May 2011, the Prague one was performed in Žižkov Theatre of Jára Cimrman on Monday, 6 Juni 2011. Performance schedules for 2011/2012 season are published at websites of both theatres: www.divadlopribram.eu and www.zdjc.cz.

Photo: Ivo Mičkal