‘I’m Your Man’ — A Very Personal Narrative of One Libretto
In 2017, while still living in Geneva, Switzerland, I produced and staged a musical ballet ‘I’m Your Man’ inspired by the three internationally renowned artists and their work: the Czech writer Milan Kundera and his book The Unbearable Lightness of Being, the late musician Leonard Cohen and his songs, and the creativity of the Japanese composer and musician Joe Hisaishi.
The ballet had a certain narrative and a mixture of classical and modern dance elements and music — a sort of hybrid of the tradition and modernity. Back then, I did not realise the significance of the performance I’d put together and the narrative that I’d written.
The description of the ballet that the audience received at the performance read as follows: ‘’I am Your Man’ is an enchanting and sensual look at soul searching, love and passion, gain and loss, and decisions we face while on a life journey.’
At the time of writing the ‘I’m Your Man’ libretto and staging the ballet I had no idea that I was staging the story of my parents’ love encounter. Back then, I even did not know who my parents were since I’d grown up in a foster family whose ‘love’ stories were nothing like the narrative of my ballet.
Four years later, in November 2021 and the beginning of 2022, I took three DNA tests and one mtDNA test, starting my DNA investigative journey. In the two years and a half that I have been investigating I learnt a lot about my ethnic, cultural, and social background. I also was able to identify, if only in theory, who my parents are.
Today, while looking at the inspirations and visuals I pinned in Pinterest as I was preparing the ballet in 2017, I suddenly realised the significance of all the images I was attracted to. They were indeed a reflection of the ’memories’ of my parents whom I have never seen. The very associations and imagery that came out of my subconscious mind. Memories that one cannot have yet they were there, right in front of my eyes or rather in my mind’s eye.
It is truly fascinating how mind, memories, and subconscious work together to produce such interesting outcomes in the form of art which have a real link to my life and my background. Extraordinary, to say the least.
In acknowledgment of this, I’ve decided to publish ‘I’m Your Man’ libretto as a short ‘story’ of my parents ‘encounter’. Here it is.
Libretto — ‘I’m Your Man’ — musical ballet
Dedicated to the lyricist and musician, Leonard Cohen
Characters of the Story:
The Young Man/ Jakub Rašek
A resident of Prague, The Young Man, reaches out to the mysteries of the Old Town, searching familiar streets for the resonance with his longing for love and meaning of his life. His search leads him to explore the depths of his individuality.
His symbol is Rose.
The Shadow/ Vojtěch Rak
The Shadow is the darker side of The Young Man which pushes him to succumb to his secret desires and longings.
His symbol is a Bowler Hat.
The Visitor/ Tamara Kšírová
The Visitor is a young girl on vacations. She walks the streets of the Old Town, making plentiful Selfies against the backdrop of the tourist attractions. Documenting her life through frequent snapshots, she validates it, assigning the meaning to her existence.
Her symbol is Camera.
The story by the scene:
Part 1, scene 1
In the twilighted Prague a young man walks across the Charles Bridge. He is followed by his Shadow — the wise but controversial part of The Young Man. The Young Man is on the quest for true love and meaning of his life. In his walk, he comes to a café. When he is about to sit down, he discovers a book lying on the chair. Picking it up, he starts reading it.
Part 1, scene 2
At the same time, a young girl ,— The Visitor, — walks the streets of the Old Town. In her exploration, she comes across a camera. She picks it up and intrigued starts taking Selfies with it. Reaching the café, The Visitor spots a table and sits down.
Part 1, scene 3
In the café, The Visitor is attracted by The Young Man, sitting at the table opposite her. The Visitor lifts her camera and takes a photograph of The Young Man. The Shadow acknowledges The Visitor and, while The Young Man stays engrossed in his book, begins to pose for the girl. She enjoys taking photographs of him. As the girl stands up and makes some steps towards The Young Man, he jumps to his feet.
Annoyed at her intrusive attention, he tries to take The Visitor’s camera away from her. After several unsuccessful attempts, The Young Man decides to change his tactic and, encouraged by his Shadow side, writes a note to The Visitor, inviting the girl over to his place.
Part 2, scene 1
While waiting for the girl, The Young Man faces his wise but controversial side — The Shadow. Having an inner dialogue with it, The Young Man tries to find meaning in his own actions. The Shadow convinces him to follow his desires.
Part 2, scene 2
Arriving, The Visitor takes more Selfies of herself but soon turns her attention to The Shadow, pointing her camera at him. Taking the camera from the girl, The Shadow encourages The Visitor to pose for him and takes pictures of her.
Part 2, scene 3
Falling for The Shadow, The Visitor spends a night of passion with him. As she leaves, she takes the bowler hat of The Shadow and puts it on, keeping it as a souvenir of the night.
Part 2, scene 4
As the girl leaves, The Young Man evaluates the romantic encounter with her. Finding the camera that the girl left behind, he starts looking at the pictures taken of her. Each photograph reminding him of the night they have spent together. The Young Man struggles to accept it. The Shadow tries to help him. Finally, The Young Man makes peace with himself and heads to the café to talk to the girl.
Part 3, scene 1
The Young Man is waiting for The Visitor in the café. He has brought her camera with him. When the girl arrives, The Young Man confronts her, explaining how he feels. Taking the bowler hat of The Shadow off her head, The Young Man gives the girl back what belongs to her — her camera. Receiving it, The Visitor points it at herself, but then, struck by a thought, turns the camera outwards.
Part 3, scene 2
The romantic encounter with The Visitor triggers The Young Man to realise that what he’s been looking for in others has always been residing within him. Looking inwards, he discovers the beauty of true love and, opening up his heart, brings his Love out to share with others.
The END
