At home, our father often used to play the violin
and maybe I was the only of all children who could sing,
so he used to take me to sing him when he played.
This way he brought me up to the music.
My brothers, though couldn't sing, they could play some instrument,
thus, we created such a family band.
But, of course, it was only for us at home,
when after Sunday dinner we were sitting, we sang something.
Brothers were playing and I was a little, but the most important singer
singing with them and especially with father.
My family led me to the music and I really enjoyed it.
Later I started to perform in Jonáš Záborský Theater in Prešov.
My colleagues there weren't so keen on it,
until they recognized my person.
I had to show much more to prove them I know something.
But maybe half a year left when we became friends.
We started to go to disco together and they took me as I am,
because they understood that also a gypsy, at that time, may be decent and respectable.
What the hell are you doing here, devil?
Just yesterday I shod you!
Well, yes, you did so, but i lost my horseshoe.
-You wouldn't have lost it, if you didn't ....! - Right!
We?
I'll show you!
Marián, give your head down.
Gammer, that's why your bones hurt you so much.
And why do you still care about my bones?
Granny, come and sit down!
Here you are.
Well.
Gran?!
- What's up, boy? - Take something to eat.
But I have nothing to eat.
- But gran, eat something. - Here you are.
But you took it from your mother!
She doesn't like it, she is sick.
- Yes, she is. - I know, son, I know.
- How do you know it, granny? - I know a lot of things, a lot.
You wouldn't grind away so much too. You could have a better life, if you want.
Don't worry, gammer!
Since I am dark skinned, I played a black servant in Hello Dolly.
At that time, it was dericted by Czech director Mr. Koníček, I think.
And he cast me in this little role.
I felt amazingly, because, as I've already said, I was led to this from childhood,
so, actually, my dream to be at the stage
performing for the audience and making them happy, came true.
My feelings were really fantastic.
They have no place to sleep.
Brother, look my brother how you live, look.
You are young, what a shame of your and your children' life.
They have no place to sleep.
God, I beg for my brother, give him a good place on the earth.
In childhood, I attended a theater group led by deceased Mrs. Šilan.
She already at that time knew I've got some talent,
that's why I went to her lectures,
lectures of acting, singing or dancing.
She taught me and led me to develop
my skills in the artistic world.
Maybe also thanks to her I am here.
If she is not, maybe I wouldn't know what theater is.
After school I went to the theater audition in Prešov,
where I was accepted.
First I sang in the ensemble,
and later I played some smaller characters,
where I already could present yourself artistically.
I've performed in Prešov theater about three years, until Romathan theater was established.
And when Romathan was created, Mrs. Šilan still used to tell me:
"Marián, you're a Roma, you belong to Romani theater. We seek the artists, so I need you there."
I was accustomed to my colleagues in Jonáš Záborský Theater.
Also I had my family in Prešov, my brothers, sisters and mum
and I didn't wanted to leave them.
But Mrs. Šilan insisted and persuaded me that
I belong to that theater, so I went to the audition.
Of course, they accepted me in Romathan.
Anyway I was waiting two or three months and
still working in Jonáš Záborský Theater,
while Mrs. Šilan once told me resolutely:
"You have to come immediately, because we need experienced Roma actors."
So I said: "Well, I'll come."
I came there, but I didn't work as a soloist.
Rather, I helped to whisper to the actors,
as people there didn't have enough experience with theater.
Those people were picked from various towns as Svidník, Rožňava etc. and
it was necessary to learn them to speak, gesture and move.
I helped Mr. Šilan a bit
to direct these people at the stage somehow.
Anetka no, your hand must be like this.
You have to stretch it more!
Yes, yes like this, it must look like a tree a bit.
Good.
Well, we can start.
The hardest time for me was, when I got my first leading role.
First three or four years I used to play only small characters,
but later came the musical Gypsies go the heaven and
one boy and I alternated in performing, he was
quite aggressive and often flew into rage.
Even he punched me.
So, then I said....
It was really hard for me, I bore it up too badly,
so then I decided I will quit with it.
I think this musical was directed by Mr. Šilan.
He was a man who really knew to persuade people.
He used to tell me:
"Marián, you can do it, so prove everyone you are deservedly at your place."
So I took that role and stayed there.
And it was only thanks to him,
because I was really decided to give in my notice and leave that theater.
After premiere Mr. Šilan told me:
"You see, Marián? You did it and be proud of you, because you will proceed for sure."
In that moment I realized that he isn't wrong and
maybe I was right when I stayed there. I admitted
that perhaps I will be truly a good artist.
But Mr. Šilan was also a speculator,
because later, when he was directing something, he began to take me with him.
"Marián, come here with me" he meant at the stage.
"Sit down near me, you will whisper to the artists."
This way he taught me
and he used to tell me:
"Try to perceive people, Marián, perceive what they do and how they do it."
And I didn't realize at that time, he was preparing me for something.
So I perceive the people,
but I still didn't understand what it was about.
I understood later, when he came to me
with offer to write something and direct it myself.
But, simply, I didn't have enough courage to do it.
About month he urged me on:
"Marián, write something during the holiday and then you will direct it."
Finally, I agreed and then I wrote.
What it was?
The Stones of Destiny.
Right.
Yes, I wrote The Stones of Destiny, I remember.
Mr. Šilan helped me that time a lot, because
I wasn't so experienced, I didn't know what to do with people.
Therefore I often used to go to him for some advises.
He tried not to advice me but direct me in certain things.
Of course I've followed him and it also ended up very well finally.
Come, Anetka, more here.
Yes.
Miška move there too.
Well.
Play it again.
What are you looking for here? - Good, but one more thing.
Barborka...
I should go from here, right? -Never mind.
But if he is talking, you cannot do this at the stage.
Here, you all should behave like he doesn't see you, well?
You must be austere and sharp in everything, ok?
In every action, every gesture, every move.
Well?
I started with directing in time when he was still between us.
When the second play came, it wasn't already such a problem for me,
though some problems still can occur.
But, simply, it wasn't such problem for me to organize people
and build a scene.
The best thing for me was, when Mr. Šilan told the theater director:
"I can finally leave because I already have a successor."
Of course, he thought about me.
And I am very grateful to him, really.
I still remember him, because he gave me something, what, maybe, not everyone can get.
Father will come and talk to you here.
Everyone have to be seen and speak slowly, well?
We can make a deal. - Can we?
But I have a condition.
I want something from you. I know you're poor.
Sit down here.
You may hew the trees in my wood.
And look still on him, yes?
You may hew the trees in my wood.
I just want one thing for it.
I just want one thing. - Good, stop.
Sit down, once more.
I just want one thing for it.
The one thing.
The only one.
That's it.
So, do you agree?
So,will you keep your word?
Well, just it is...
I'm walking in the wood.
Yes? Good.
I'm walking in the wood and looking for people.
When I see them, I pick their souls.
I breath by great power, take them all.
I'm walking in the wood and I'll take the all.
I'm walking in the wood and looking for people.
When I see them, I'll take them.
I breathe by the great power, I'll take them.
I'll meet them and take them.
I'll take more and more souls.
I know still new ones will come.
I'll take more and more souls.
I know new ones will come.
My first major character was Zobar
in the musical Gypsies go the heaven.
Of course, it was directed by Mr. Šilan.
It was character which pushed me further as to the acting.
Character Zobar...
Everyone knows the personality of this character, as the movie existst too.
Zobar was a hard man and I am the exact opposite of this character.
But I had to overcome it somehow.
Of course, I trained with Mr. Šilan, so I think it was good.
Another character which got me totally
was a boy in Shriveled Rose directed by Mr. Svoboda.
Just this character fitted me perfectly.
It was the character of a Romani boy fallen in love with a Romani girl.
And he was very emotional and gentle.
Not gentle,but simply emotional,
as he showed his emotions outside.
He didn't care if someone was looking or laughing at him.
He was himself and that's why this character got me.
I don't want you, you've promised me your daughter.
- No. - You've promised me your daughter!
- I don't want you! - No!
- You've promised me your daughter! -No, no!
I don't want you, you've promised me your daughter!
I don't give you daughter.
As you want.
I find it hard to play in my own direction,
as I must be an actor at stage and simultaneously bounce down
to direct the others,
because they wouldn't even be able to do it.
So I jump up and down. This way it works here.
When we repeat it two times, three times, then it goes better.
But at the beginning it's very difficult.
So dear children, both kingdoms were finally joined by the being
called Jivori.
They were no longer afraid of one another as before,
because love has connected them to the eternity.
The child's spectator perceives everything, even the details.
For example, child will notice, if actor doesn't have tied shoelace up.
Then they comment it right there in the auditorium.
So, as to the children, everything must be created in detail for them.
But concerning adults, it isn't easy too.
You never know who is sitting there.
You don't know how they'll perceive you and whole performance,
whether they will like it or not.
I still try to do everything so that both sides would be satisfied.
Welcome.
Well, dear Apsori, if you choose me,
you and your parents would be glad.
I don't look bad, I have a beautiful figure.
Well.
Well, you are pretty too, I have to admit.
But I am prettier.
- So what? - We didn't have such a fool yet here.
If you don't leave with your beauty within three minutes, otherwise your beauty will vanish within a minute!
No, I won't give my beauty.
So, you see, you wanted me to marry such a weirdo.
You like only yourself, go your own way!
- Go, as I'm telling you! - Do you know what?
Do you know what, do you?
No we don't, so say.
I'll go. I'm beautiful anyway.
Go away and don't do this!
Let's say the truth.
Our artists are busy,
or I would say, they're unsettled.
And I have to literally calm them down,
to get them where I need.
Maybe in theater of majority it is easier,
beacause...maybe the artist are more responsible there...
Or what I know what?
Maybe...
Maybe for them it's...
Perhaps, it gives them much more.
But here, as if they all do it only from necessity.
I think we have horrible conditions in our theater.
But, thanks God, that our artists are able to play under such conditions, in this environment.
Maybe Non-Roma wouldn't stay even five minutes,
probably they would run.
In winter we have to rehearse in anoraks because of cold.
Of course, we stay only in one room,
where the readers are located and 15 people are sitting there.
We all must be there, because any other room isn't heated almost at all.
So we have pretty difficult conditions.
But in spite of this all, we try to do
what we can and it always works somehow.
I am a devil.
I am a devil too.
We are devils.
One evening God had a good idea.
He said: I've created the Sun.
Wooow. Sun. Shine.
I've created the Moon.
Wooow. Moon.
How nice it shines.
And I've also created a lot of living souls.
They're going to sleep again. What slackers.
Well, well but what is going on here?
Our theater may give really a lot to Roma.
As we can see, there are many Romani settlements in Slovakia.
When we play for children, they perceive it in different way, so
I think, we set an example for them
to begin to educate more
and even for their parents to lead the kids to better life,
it means, to go to school and live as any other human.
And what about Non-Roma?
Our message is to try to break barriers,
because the truth is, that the racism still exists, here in Slovakia too.
Many times we noticed the indifference from the side of Non-Roma,
but after performance came the congratulations.
And why?
I think, it is because of our work.
When Non-Roma come to us and say: You were great,
it means a lot for us, then Roma perceives and feels it better.
If I stayed in the theater in Prešov,
maybe I wouldn't have such conditions as I have here.
I mean, I've worked my way up thanks to Mr. Šilan
and for me, personally, it has a great value,
because I love to stand at the stage and to give people something of me.
Mr. Šilan has led me to it for several years
and, I think, he made me not only an artist but also a man.
I started to perceive the world and people differently.
Actually, thanks to him I am where I am.