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CZECH THE NEWS
Newsletter of the Embassy of the Czech Republic
(May 2000, volume IX. Number 5)

REVIEW: FIRST-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT

On cold, rainy nights, there is surely nothing better than to find a good friend -- someone who will not only understand you, but make you laugh at your problems and give you the courage to continue. And that's what the audience found during Jan Burian's presentation at the Czech embassy on April 18, 2000.

Burian belongs to an illustrious family of Czech entertainers. He is the grand-nephew of Emil Frantisek Burian, founder of the avant-garde theater D 34, playwright, composer and author. Thus it is not surprising that he is completely at ease on stage; he welcomed latecomers as naturally as if inviting them into his own home. And soon the audience did feel at home, in a comfortable mood, completely receptive to Burian's witty songs and wry jokes. One began to understand why jesters were valued by kings. Burian's imaginative, acute sense of humor has a marvelous effect even in print or in recordings. However, its impact is much stronger in a personal appearance, because his disarming grin and cherubic appearance throw one off one's guard, and the punch line comes as unexpectedly as a cream pie in the face in slapstick comedy.

As the show went on, one gradually became aware of Burian's adroitness and theatrical skill. Although he seemed to be improvising the entire show, there was no wasted motion. Every gesture evoked a response; every word was perfectly timed and conveyed for maximum effect. As he accompanied himself on the piano, he effortlessly slipped in sophisticated rhythmic patterns and complex jazz nuances, not for their own sake, but to provide subtle support for the mood which he was projecting. The cliche "art which conceals art" took on fresh significance here.

He jokingly described his material as belonging to the Prague folk tradition. With puckish gravity, he then compared Prague folklore to New York City folklore, and Moravian folklore to Washington folklore. But he did actually demonstrate a fact which surely is part of the tradition of his own family: the vigorous folk spirit of the Czech lands engenders art forms which persevere, even thrive in adversity. By mutating to fit time and circumstance, these art forms continue to give heart to artists as well as audiences.

Judith Fiehler


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MENU introduction reviews discography contact english deutsch icelandic danish estonian swedish aaland	reviews CZECH THE NEWS Newsletter of the Embassy of the Czech Republic (May 2000, volume IX. Number 5) REVIEW: FIRST-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT On cold, rainy nights, there is surely nothing better than to find a good friend -- someone who will not only understand you, but make you laugh at your problems and give you the courage to continue. And that's what the audience found during Jan Burian's presentation at the Czech embassy on April 18, 2000. Burian belongs to an illustrious family of Czech entertainers. He is the grand-nephew of Emil Frantisek Burian, founder of the avant-garde theater D 34, playwright, composer and author. Thus it is not surprising that he is completely at ease on stage; he welcomed latecomers as naturally as if inviting them into his own home. And soon the audience did feel at home, in a comfortable mood, completely receptive to Burian's witty songs and wry jokes. One began to understand why jesters were valued by kings. Burian's imaginative, acute sense of humor has a marvelous effect even in print or in recordings. However, its impact is much stronger in a personal appearance, because his disarming grin and cherubic appearance throw one off one's guard, and the punch line comes as unexpectedly as a cream pie in the face in slapstick comedy. As the show went on, one gradually became aware of Burian's adroitness and theatrical skill. Although he seemed to be improvising the entire show, there was no wasted motion. Every gesture evoked a response; every word was perfectly timed and conveyed for maximum effect. As he accompanied himself on the piano, he effortlessly slipped in sophisticated rhythmic patterns and complex jazz nuances, not for their own sake, but to provide subtle support for the mood which he was projecting. The cliche "art which conceals art" took on fresh significance here. He jokingly described his material as belonging to the Prague folk tradition. With puckish gravity, he then compared Prague folklore to New York City folklore, and Moravian folklore to Washington folklore. But he did actually demonstrate a fact which surely is part of the tradition of his own family: the vigorous folk spirit of the Czech lands engenders art forms which persevere, even thrive in adversity. By mutating to fit time and circumstance, these art forms continue to give heart to artists as well as audiences. Judith Fiehler
Last update: 8.12.2002