First Czech & Slovak Community Theater in Calgary
Passion. Collaboration. Theater
Heaven on Earth
a play by Jiří Voskovec and Jan Werich, edited and directed by Frantisek Vanecek
Naše Divadlo Calgary 2024/2025 Production


Cast
Jupiter, god of thunder
Juno, his wife
Mercury, messenger god
Vittorio Bartolus, notary
Amaranta, his wife
Alessandro Caverna, rich landowner
Catastrophe, his wife
Camilio, his brother
Horatio Darda, high priest of Jupiter
Scipia Calaber, priestess
Darius, carpenter
Fulvia, neighbour
Herminia, chambermaid
Aurelia, Catastrophe's servant
Leander, voice from the street
Jakub Lahuta
Martina Vaneckova
Milada Zezulova
Peter Zizler
Lucia Prchlikova
Michal Ubar
Dagmar Rakusan; Alena Slackova
Igor Benedikty; Viktor Kulha
Frantisek Vanecek
Adriana Hasonova
Martin Lacko
Katarina Ubarova; Barbora Hubkova
Barbora Hubkova
Gven Goluska
Viktor Kulha; Igor Benedikty
Production Crew

Editing, Translation & Direction:
Assistant Director:
Executive Producer:
Music:
Set Design:
Set Production:
Sound:
Lights:
Costumes:
Hair & Makeup:
Prompter:
Frantisek Vanecek
Natalia Vaneckova
Erika Holderer
Jaroslav Jezek
Frantisek Vanecek
Frantisek Vanecek, Martin Lacko, Viktor Kulha,
Barbora Hubkova, Igor Benedikty, Adriana Hasonova, Jakub Lahuta
Natalia Vaneckova
Martin Lacko
Natalia Vaneckova
Danka Michalkova-Sokolova
Martina Vaneckova, Natalia Vaneckova
Gallery
Production
Our First Play: Nebe na Zemi (Heaven on Earth)
Our journey began with Nebe na Zemi, the iconic comedy by Jiří Voskovec and Jan Werich, two towering figures of Czech theatre, film, and satire. As founders of the legendary Osvobozené divadlo in Prague, Voskovec and Werich became known for their sharp wit, intelligent humour, and fearless social commentary—always paired with the unforgettable music of their close collaborator, Jaroslav Ježek. Together, they created works that were playful on the surface, yet deeply human and timeless underneath.First performed in 1936, Nebe na Zemi blends satire, music, and absurdity as gods descend from Mount Olympus to meddle in the lives of ordinary people. Its humour crosses borders easily, built on the idea—famously stated by Mercury—that people are the same everywhere. It was precisely this universality that made the play such a perfect choice for our debut.
When founding Naše Divadlo, director Mgr. Frantisek Vanecek faced a unique challenge: he did not yet know how many people would commit to joining a brand-new theatre company, nor what range of experience they would bring. He therefore chose a play he knew intimately—one he had directed before—and one that could be successfully adapted for a smaller cast and venue without losing its energy or charm.
Nebe na Zemi proved to be the ideal starting point: musically rich, ensemble-driven, and rooted in a shared Czech and Slovak theatrical tradition. It allowed the company to build confidence, trust, and momentum—while reminding both actors and audiences why this kind of theatre still matters.



























