History and a few words of introduction
The story of theater culture in Banská Bystrica – from the first mentions to the legacy that lives on today.
A few words to start with...
Current knowledge about the history of theater culture in Banská Bystrica is very poor. But that’s not all. Even extensive studies of theater as a whole in the distant past across our continent do not make us much wiser.
The first public theater performance recorded in the archives of the city of Banská Bystrica was a staging of the play Komédia o Soulovi (Comedy about Soul) by students of the Evangelical Lyceum in 1576 under the guidance of school professors, at which theater was performed regularly until its violent closure in 1674.
The town’s citizens, especially those from wealthier families, followed everything that was going on very closely, and since there were no other distractions, their whole lives took place between the church, the market, the restaurant, and the cultural center—the theater, of which the townspeople were very proud.
Where others have stopped, we continue...
The story of the Andrej Sládkovič Theater Company, which wrote cultural history in Banská Bystrica, is coming back to life after 30 years. A new generation of artists is continuing the legacy of passion and love for theater, bringing new performances and picking up where others left off.
They were people just like us… People who had to overcome various obstacles in life, people with everyday responsibilities, people who had their dreams and desires… But above all, they were people with artistic souls, united primarily by their love of theater. They felt intensely and had a need to express their emotions through this art form. Their main goal was to educate the audience and appeal to the needs of society at that time. Yes, they were amateur actors from Banská Bystrica who joined forces and created something spectacular…
And so, in 1929, the story of the Andrej Sládkovič Theater Company in Banská Bystrica began. Its members devoted their lives not only to their families and work, but also to theater. They spent all their free time rehearsing plays and studying the characters they portrayed on stage. Their outstanding performances brought catharsis to the audience. In order to appeal to a wide range of audiences, their repertoire was rich and varied. They rehearsed classical as well as modern plays, artistically mature as well as undemanding. They devoted themselves to Slovak, Czech, and world works.
The Andrej Sládkovič Theater Company was one of the most important amateur theaters in Slovakia. During its 65 years of existence, it staged 275 premieres. Many personalities have passed through the theater – Ondrej Záturecký, Juraj Sarvaš, Pavel Scheer, Viera Scheerová, Ján Kováč, Rudolf and Ivan Palúchovci, Pavol Katona, Zora Paulendová, Mária Markovičová, Július Hudec, Edmund Klein, and many other talented artists who have contributed significantly to the elevation and development of culture in Banská Bystrica and thanks to whom the theater was established, progressed, and managed to survive until 1995, when it ceased its activities.
Exactly 30 years later, a new generation of like-minded artists came together, eager to revive the theater with joy, passion, and love, and with the ambition to continue where others had left off…
Former members of the Andrej Sládkovič Theater Company
Ondrej Záturecký
(*December 12, 1920, Banská Bystrica-Radvaň – †September 19, 1987, Banská Bystrica-Radvaň) was an important educator and amateur theater actor.
He came from the noble family of Záturecký of Záturčie (Zathureczky de Zaturcsa). From 1936, he worked as an amateur actor and director in Banská Bystrica-Radvani and in the Municipal Theater Association in Banská Bystrica, where Ján Kováč was his teacher and role model. During his career, he appeared in over 120 productions, 23 of which he directed. From 1948 to 1969, he held the position of director of the Park of Culture and Recreation (PKO) in Banská Bystrica, and subsequently, from 1969 to 1982, he served as director of the Slovak Revolutionary Trade Union Movement (ZK ROH) club in Banská Bystrica.
In addition to his theatrical activities, Ondrej Záturecký also devoted himself to film acting. He appeared in several Slovak films, including:
- Jerguš Lapin (1960) – valach
- Deň, ktorý neumrie (1974) – partisan
- Pacho, hybský zbojník (1976) – policeman
- Nie (1977) – gendarmerie commander
- Magduška (1979)
- Katera (1981)
Ondrej Záturecký’s work contributed significantly to the development of cultural life in Banská Bystrica and its surroundings.
Ján Kováč
Ján Kováč (October 10, 1891, Banská Bystrica – March 25, 1972, Banská Bystrica) was a prominent Slovak amateur theater actor. He was an employee of the Czechoslovak State Railways.
In 1919, he founded and led the Railway Workers’ Amateur Theater Club in Banská Bystrica, where the first post-war Slovak performance took place in 1920. From 1926, he worked as an actor, director, and designer for the local MO MS theater club. In 1929, he became the organizer of the Municipal Theater Association and founded a theater for children and young people, for which he wrote skits.
In 1945, he began working in the Zdr. závod. klubov ensemble, and later became actively involved in acting and directing in the A. Sládkovič Theater Ensemble in Banská Bystrica. He created over 50 productions and around 60 fairy tale productions. He was the author of the chronicle 50 Years of Amateur Theater in Banská Bystrica. His work had a significant impact on the development of the local theater scene and inspired many young actors and directors.
Ján Kováč was known for his enthusiasm for theater and his contribution to the development of cultural life in Banská Bystrica. His legacy remains an important part of the history of Slovak amateur theater.
Pavel Scheer
Pavel Scheer (born January 27, 1925, Lučenec – died May 3, 2012, Banská Bystrica)
A long-time active member of the amateur theater in Banská Bystrica. He joined the theater in 1950 and initially worked as a stagehand. Gradually, through small roles, he became a successful amateur actor, who worked in the theater until it closed and played leading roles in many successful plays.
In addition to the theater, he was an active member of the Union of Anti-Fascist Fighters for many years, as well as the chairman of the Iskra Smrečina Banská Bystrica hockey club.
Viera Scheerová
Viera Scheerová (*December 29, 1925, Smrečany), lives in Banská Bystrica.
Member of the amateur theater in Banská Bystrica. Her father, Michal Birický, was the founder and director of the amateur theater in the village of Smrečany in the post-war period. Already during her high school studies, she proved to be a successful reciter. After arriving in Banská Bystrica in 1951, she began to devote herself to theater alongside her job and performed in several plays. She also met her future husband at the theater.
Pregnancy and caring for children prevented her from continuing as an actress, so she worked in the theater as a prompter.
She spent her entire working life at Slovenská, many years as chairwoman of the ROH.
