Liberty Free presents play by Czech freedom fighter, ex-president

LIBERTY, NY — The Liberty Free Theatre will present the first area showing of Vaclav Havel’s play, “Audience,” starting on Thursday, December 6. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. through Saturday, December 8, and again from Thursday, December 13 through Saturday, December 15. There will also be matinees at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 9 and December 16.

Vaclav Havel is a Czech playwright and essayist of international renown. He is the author of 18 plays and nine books of non-fiction. In 1989, he was instrumental in what came to be known as the Velvet Revolution, the non-violent overthrow of the communist regime, and became president of what was then known as Czechoslovakia. In 1993, he was elected as president of the newly formed Czech Republic.

“Audience” takes place in a Czechoslovak brewery where Ferdinand Vanek has found work after having been banned from writing by the communist regime. He has been called in for a “talk” by the foreman. What follows is a funny, ironic and disturbing look at the human cost of living in a totalitarian culture. The play features John Neails as Vanek and Paul Austin as the Foreman. The set is by Alexis Siroc and the lighting is by Jon-Jon Thomas. Austin also directed.

Performances are free, but seating is limited and reservations are suggested. The audience is invited to gather after the performance for food, drink and music. The theatre is located at 109 South Main Street.

For more information call 845/292-3788.