Radúz and Mahulena at The National Theatre

Zeyer’s dramatic poem is one of the most beautiful love stories to have graced a Czech stage. Classical fairy-tale motifs wed with mythological references joined together with bravado through a metaphorical language. Radúz and Mahulena, from feuding kingdoms, surmount on behalf of their love not only the wiles of fate, but also the sorceries of Queen Runa, burning with hate. Zeyer gave his play the subheading “A Slovak fairy tale in four acts” and the splendid prologue “I am a fairy tale. I will lead those who join me to the blue lands of fable...” Besides Slovak myths and fairy tales, he also drew upon the Indian drama Sakuntala by the poet Kalidasa. In doing so, he created an exceptionally impressive work whose centre of gravity is the power of the word augmented by abundant symbolism of colours and natural elements.