Snowboarďáci: Recenze muzikálu – Energický, ale plochý příběh

The beloved Czech snowboarding comedy is back on stage. A new stage adaptation of “Snowboarders” (“Snowboarďáci”) is now playing at the Divadlo Radka Brzobohatého in Prague, bringing the story of two teenage friends and their adventures to a new generation.

The musical, based on the original film by Karel Janák, centers on the characters of Renda and Jáchym and their pursuit of fun on the slopes. While the initial humor surrounding the boys’ journey to their first sexual experiences and the attention they receive from girls is amusing, the production reportedly struggles to sustain that momentum throughout its two-and-a-quarter-hour runtime.

A subplot involving a grandfather who believes he is a dog provides some initial amusement, but the gag reportedly becomes repetitive. The musical’s strengths lie in its musical composition and choreography, with composer Miroslav Chyška and his team opting for a rock and hip-hop sound that complements the show’s energy.

While Eliška Jirotková’s vocal performance as Marta stood out during the ballads, the rap numbers with a strong rock guitar sound, reminiscent of 90s music, brought the most energy to the stage. The choreography by Petra Parvoničová is fitting, inventive, and features dynamic performances with expressive facial expressions.

Filip Antonio and Valentýn Pokorný, who play Renda and Jáchym respectively, were particularly authentic, energetic, and flustered. Kateřina Bohatová brought energy and humor to the role of the nymphomaniac. The rest of the cast will likely gain more confidence with further performances.

Clearer sound mixing, particularly during moments where dialogue overlaps with live music, would improve the experience. The performance, which took place on March 19, would benefit from a more polished audio balance.

Interestingly, the English lyrics for some songs were written by current Minister of Culture Ota Klempíř, a result of his past collaboration with Miroslav Chyška, the musical’s composer, in the band J.A.R. The connection highlights the creative network within the Czech music scene.

The inclusion of “On My Head,” originally performed by Dan Bárta for the film, was a fitting tribute, connecting the two works. Similarly, the use of clips from the original film at the end of the show provided a nostalgic touch.