Hightea with the Senator

The Slovak Theater Amateur Group presents a political satire by playwright Ivan Stodola, Hightea with the Senator. The comedy from the early 1920s portrays the background to the preparations for a successful political career, as well as selection of senator at a tea party held by Minister’s wife. The playwright Ivan Stodola is one of the most famous Slovak authors, renowned as a relentless satirist of the Slovak petty bourgeoisie.

Event essentials:

Premiere: Saturday, 29 October 2011 at 7 pm, Slovak House of Ludovit Stur, 105 Triholm Avenue, Laverton
Matinée: Sunday, 30 October 2011 at 2.00 pm, Slovak House of Ludovit Stur, 105 Trihom Avenue, Laverton
Sydney performance: Saturday, 12 November 2011 at 30 Vaughan St., Lidcombe, Sydney

Tickets:
Adults 15 AUD
Concession 10 AUD
Children under 10 years free
For bookings call Terezia Kral at 03 9855 8086 or Pavel Sluka at 0411 061 874.

Historical Background of the play

Under Hungarian reign of the Slovak Territory at the start of the 20th Century, all political matters were solely in the hand of local aristocracy. Only members of noble families could hold political posts.
The middle class of the society, the so called bourgeoisies could only occupy a few seats in Parliament. The number of seats was limited; however parties and candidates were aplenty. Granting a seat in the Senate was an even more prestigious achievement. When it came to the quality of the runner ups, rather than qualifications, ambition and connections played a major role. The main characters of this political satire are a truthful depiction of the historical stereotypes of the society at those times.

The play was produced under the auspices of the Australian Slovaks' Association in Victoria and in cooperation with The Slovak Social and Cultural Club "Ľudovít Štur".