Centre for Arts and Play work
in Palliative Care
Every Moment Matters
We like being able to talk about serious issues while staying on top of things with easiness and a bit of exaggeration. That's why we use theatre to open up difficult topics with sensitivity and humour. It's important to us to present the subject in a way that is not burdensome or traumatic for the audience, but at the same time not to belittle it.
In collaboration with the Vlček Family Foundation, we created a theatre production Every Moment Matters, which tells the story of a family with a seriously ill child. Although it is a challenging topic, we approach it from a rather comical point of view. In the safety of fiction, thanks to the many hilarious situations in the story, the audience can reflect on the topic or just be entertained by the excellent actors.
What does a surprise birthday party look like when it’s thrown by parents for their teenage son?
What’s the last thing you want to happen when you’re seventeen?
And in the end… who’s more embarrassed?
"When I was about seven, and you came to my Christmas recital, I was standing on stage among all the other kids—some of them were so scared their voices were shaking, some even cried... And the girls kept nervously pulling up their tights. I stood there calmly, just waiting for us to start singing Christ the Lord Is Born. I wasn’t scared, because the night before, Dad, you said to me: ‘It doesn’t matter what happens. What matters is how much you enjoy it. Enjoy every second, and everything will be okay.’ And so I stood there and enjoyed every second. And everything really was okay. I enjoyed that Christmas was almost here, that everyone around me was singing, and that I could just breathe... I opened my eyes and saw you holding hands and smiling, because you saw that I was just standing there quietly, listening... And I was so happy that you were there with me. Then came the last verse, so I quickly closed my eyes again—just to enjoy it before it ended. And at that moment, I understood what it means when people say that every moment matters."
The story about communication and parental love, besides entertaining our viewers, also presents the topic of palliative care with humour and insight.
Directed and written by: Michaela Váňová
Starring: Klára Trojanová, Luboš Veselý, Vojtěch Franců
Music composed by: Ondřej Rychlý
Duration of the performance: 65 min
The production is regularly performed for the general public at the Werich Villa in Prague, where you can also buy tickets.
We also perform the play by appointment at palliative conferences or for patients and their loved ones in hospices anywhere in the Czech Republic. If you would like to book us for your city, please send us an e-mail at infovlastovka@gmail.com
Foto: Zbyněk Hrbata
You can find more information and details about the launch dates here:
