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The Drive-In Theater: Keeping Drama Alive During the Lockdown The Drive-In Theater: Keeping Drama Alive During the Lockdown
(about 8 hours later)
Patrick Kingsley, an international correspondent, and Laetitia Vancon, a photojournalist, are driving more than 3,700 miles to explore the reopening of the European continent after coronavirus lockdowns. Read all their dispatches.Patrick Kingsley, an international correspondent, and Laetitia Vancon, a photojournalist, are driving more than 3,700 miles to explore the reopening of the European continent after coronavirus lockdowns. Read all their dispatches.
PRAGUE — To attend her first play in more than two months, Marie Reslova, a prominent Czech theater critic, drove into Prague, headed to a large vegetable market, parked next to a convertible sports car and switched off her engine.PRAGUE — To attend her first play in more than two months, Marie Reslova, a prominent Czech theater critic, drove into Prague, headed to a large vegetable market, parked next to a convertible sports car and switched off her engine.
Soon, actors from the Czech National Theater strode onto a platform a few yards from Ms. Reslova’s windshield.Soon, actors from the Czech National Theater strode onto a platform a few yards from Ms. Reslova’s windshield.
The play had begun. And she hadn’t even left her car.The play had begun. And she hadn’t even left her car.
The Czech Republic enforced tighter restrictions than most European countries to combat the coronavirus pandemic. For several weeks, Czechs were barred even from jogging without a mask. Even after the government eased that restriction, masks were still mandatory in most other public contexts.The Czech Republic enforced tighter restrictions than most European countries to combat the coronavirus pandemic. For several weeks, Czechs were barred even from jogging without a mask. Even after the government eased that restriction, masks were still mandatory in most other public contexts.
But the country also loosened the lockdown earlier than most — and that has made it a laboratory for how arts and culture can adapt to a context in which some restrictions on social life have been lifted, while others remain in place.But the country also loosened the lockdown earlier than most — and that has made it a laboratory for how arts and culture can adapt to a context in which some restrictions on social life have been lifted, while others remain in place.
The drive-in theater at Prague’s vegetable market was an ambitious example. To circumvent restrictions on public gatherings, audience members watched plays, concerts and comedy from behind their steering wheels — in a monthlong program that ended with a variety act by the National Theater last Sunday evening, attended by Ms. Reslova.The drive-in theater at Prague’s vegetable market was an ambitious example. To circumvent restrictions on public gatherings, audience members watched plays, concerts and comedy from behind their steering wheels — in a monthlong program that ended with a variety act by the National Theater last Sunday evening, attended by Ms. Reslova.
Across Europe, drive-ins have become a familiar means of circumventing pandemic restrictions. By default, cars keep their occupants socially distanced, leading even nightclub owners and priests to set up drive-in discos and churches.Across Europe, drive-ins have become a familiar means of circumventing pandemic restrictions. By default, cars keep their occupants socially distanced, leading even nightclub owners and priests to set up drive-in discos and churches.
Though considered a gimmick at first, their proliferation suggests they could become a common feature of society at least until the development of vaccines and treatments for the coronavirus.Though considered a gimmick at first, their proliferation suggests they could become a common feature of society at least until the development of vaccines and treatments for the coronavirus.
But that will likely have ramifications for both the environment and the quality of cultural events. At times, the drive-in theater felt more like a traffic jam than a work of drama. But that will probably have ramifications for both the environment and the quality of cultural events. At times, the drive-in theater felt more like a traffic jam than a work of drama.
When the audience members wanted to applaud, they honked their horns.When the audience members wanted to applaud, they honked their horns.
When it started to drizzle, they flicked on their windshield wipers.When it started to drizzle, they flicked on their windshield wipers.
And to hear the actors, they hooked their car speakers to a portable radio provided by the organizers.And to hear the actors, they hooked their car speakers to a portable radio provided by the organizers.
It was theater, but not quite as Ms. Reslova remembered it. Not that she minded — initially, at least. Before the lockdown, she watched three or four plays in person a week. During the lockdown, she had seen theater only on the internet.It was theater, but not quite as Ms. Reslova remembered it. Not that she minded — initially, at least. Before the lockdown, she watched three or four plays in person a week. During the lockdown, she had seen theater only on the internet.
“I don’t have to watch this online!” she said cheerily through her car window, before the show started.“I don’t have to watch this online!” she said cheerily through her car window, before the show started.
The couple in the convertible beside her, a pair of marketing executives, were equally excited. But standing at the back, having sneaked in on foot, a Czech photographer was more circumspect.The couple in the convertible beside her, a pair of marketing executives, were equally excited. But standing at the back, having sneaked in on foot, a Czech photographer was more circumspect.
Delighted as he was that there was at least something to watch, David Konecny wondered how the performers would foster that sense of shared experience and connection that he feels is so central to live theater.Delighted as he was that there was at least something to watch, David Konecny wondered how the performers would foster that sense of shared experience and connection that he feels is so central to live theater.
Otherwise, Mr. Konecny feared, “it’s just people in their cars, sitting in their bubbles.”Otherwise, Mr. Konecny feared, “it’s just people in their cars, sitting in their bubbles.”
For the actors, the experience was a strange mix of exhilaration at performing again after a long pause — and eeriness.For the actors, the experience was a strange mix of exhilaration at performing again after a long pause — and eeriness.
Peter Vancura, one of the performers that night, at first felt nervous stepping onstage, confronted not by faces and frowns, but 30 car bonnets. But then he noticed he could make out some people’s expressions through the windshield, and even see their smiles. Peter Vancura, one of the performers that night, at first felt nervous stepping onstage, confronted not by faces and frowns, but the hoods of 30 cars. But then he noticed he could make out some people’s expressions through the windshield, and even see their smiles.
“It’s not so bad!” he said backstage. “Not so unconnected.”“It’s not so bad!” he said backstage. “Not so unconnected.”
The project was dreamed up in late March by Karel Kratochvil, an actor with a children’s theater company who couldn’t stand how the lockdown had laid waste to all forms of cultural life, including his own productions. Just as doctors care for people’s medical health, he felt a duty to care for people’s emotional well-being.The project was dreamed up in late March by Karel Kratochvil, an actor with a children’s theater company who couldn’t stand how the lockdown had laid waste to all forms of cultural life, including his own productions. Just as doctors care for people’s medical health, he felt a duty to care for people’s emotional well-being.
“To me, an actor is not a job, it’s something higher,” Mr. Kratochvil said. “It means taking some responsibility for society.”“To me, an actor is not a job, it’s something higher,” Mr. Kratochvil said. “It means taking some responsibility for society.”
To that end, Mr. Kratochvil initially put on his own one-man show, declaiming literary excerpts from a small boat moored under a famous medieval footbridge in central Prague.To that end, Mr. Kratochvil initially put on his own one-man show, declaiming literary excerpts from a small boat moored under a famous medieval footbridge in central Prague.
But only one person showed up, sending Mr. Kratochvil back to the drawing board.But only one person showed up, sending Mr. Kratochvil back to the drawing board.
A few days later, he woke up with a brand-new idea. What if people could attend a drive-in play, just as they might see a film at a drive-in cinema?A few days later, he woke up with a brand-new idea. What if people could attend a drive-in play, just as they might see a film at a drive-in cinema?
Mr. Kratochvil can’t actually drive, but that was just a detail.Mr. Kratochvil can’t actually drive, but that was just a detail.
Within days he had founded “Art Parking,” a festival that ended up including both the drive-in theater and a drive-in cinema a few miles across town. Mr. Kratochvil invited several theaters to participate, from small independent outfits to the state-funded National Theater last Sunday night.Within days he had founded “Art Parking,” a festival that ended up including both the drive-in theater and a drive-in cinema a few miles across town. Mr. Kratochvil invited several theaters to participate, from small independent outfits to the state-funded National Theater last Sunday night.
There were also folk singers and classical violinists, rock guitarists and chanson singers. By the end of the month, 11,000 people had attended 28 performances.There were also folk singers and classical violinists, rock guitarists and chanson singers. By the end of the month, 11,000 people had attended 28 performances.
At first it was unclear whether the artists would need to speak or sing through masks, since they were working in public and the law technically required them to cover their mouths and noses.At first it was unclear whether the artists would need to speak or sing through masks, since they were working in public and the law technically required them to cover their mouths and noses.
But at the first performance, the singer decided at the last minute to go without. The police did not intervene, and a precedent was set.But at the first performance, the singer decided at the last minute to go without. The police did not intervene, and a precedent was set.
For Tomas Dianiska, a comic playwright who performed his own play earlier in the festival, his show had been an important human experience, but not one he hopes will need to be repeated any time soon.For Tomas Dianiska, a comic playwright who performed his own play earlier in the festival, his show had been an important human experience, but not one he hopes will need to be repeated any time soon.
“We came to the stage, and said ‘hello’ to these cars,” Mr. Dianiska remembered. “You can’t see the people — they’re using klaxons instead of laughing.”“We came to the stage, and said ‘hello’ to these cars,” Mr. Dianiska remembered. “You can’t see the people — they’re using klaxons instead of laughing.”
“Better than nothing,” he summarized. “A good experience to tell people about in the pub, but not for theater.”“Better than nothing,” he summarized. “A good experience to tell people about in the pub, but not for theater.”
Updated May 28, 2020
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
The artistic quality was varied, Mr. Kratochvil happily acknowledged.The artistic quality was varied, Mr. Kratochvil happily acknowledged.
But that was beside the point, he said. The goal was to keep the cultural world ticking along and to maintain at least some form of human interaction, rather than to aim for virtuosity.But that was beside the point, he said. The goal was to keep the cultural world ticking along and to maintain at least some form of human interaction, rather than to aim for virtuosity.
“My thought was: We have to show how living art will never die,” he said.“My thought was: We have to show how living art will never die,” he said.
And since the lockdown eased significantly the morning after the festival ended — Czechs need no longer wear masks outdoors — the process had now served its purpose.And since the lockdown eased significantly the morning after the festival ended — Czechs need no longer wear masks outdoors — the process had now served its purpose.
“There’s no more need for this,” Mr. Kratochvil said. “And I’m glad about that.”“There’s no more need for this,” Mr. Kratochvil said. “And I’m glad about that.”
And so it seemed was Ms. Reslova, who drove off disappointed. “Terrible,” said her companion, shouting through the car window as they left the car park following the performance. “That’s all we have to say.”And so it seemed was Ms. Reslova, who drove off disappointed. “Terrible,” said her companion, shouting through the car window as they left the car park following the performance. “That’s all we have to say.”
Ms. Reslova later emailed to clarify that she had appreciated the concept of the festival itself, but not the National Theater’s variety show.Ms. Reslova later emailed to clarify that she had appreciated the concept of the festival itself, but not the National Theater’s variety show.
While smaller theater groups had opted to perform entire plays, the National Theater’s submission was a messy collection of excerpts from various different plays — from Faust to Oedipus — and it didn’t really hang together, Ms. Reslova reckoned.While smaller theater groups had opted to perform entire plays, the National Theater’s submission was a messy collection of excerpts from various different plays — from Faust to Oedipus — and it didn’t really hang together, Ms. Reslova reckoned.
But the couple in the convertible had a very different reaction, ecstatic to be back among other people at a cultural event.But the couple in the convertible had a very different reaction, ecstatic to be back among other people at a cultural event.
“It was a great pleasure,” said Jan Bezpalec, a marketing consultant. “Something that you just can’t get through the internet.”“It was a great pleasure,” said Jan Bezpalec, a marketing consultant. “Something that you just can’t get through the internet.”
There was just one problem, he said. All the honking had taken its toll.There was just one problem, he said. All the honking had taken its toll.
His car battery was out of juice.His car battery was out of juice.