Josef Topol: The Hour of Love

Topol's play is about the destructive power of time, about man's futile efforts to resist it by any means, even love. The author pursues his theme in the seemingly narrowed sphere of the subjective world of interpersonal relationships, but far from understanding it only as an intimate and private matter. The play is free from external plot and the dramatic basis is the meeting of a young loving couple with the "assistance" of a sick, hateful and selfish old woman, who reveals the opposite of everything that can be included under the term love. Josef Topol wrote this play for radio and even received an award for it in an author's competition. However, the radio premiere on 1 January 1969 was preceded by a theatre premiere due to time constraints. Both versions were made with the same great cast and direction.