Moonstone

“The Story of the Boy Who Never Was” is a poignant glimpse into the inner world of a lonely anti-hero, shaped by his sexual orientation and the absence of a stable family background. At its heart, however, the story is a powerful meditation on freedom and individuality – a celebration of queerness (in Icelandic, hinsegin) as something natural. It tells the tale of someone who chooses to live as an autonomous human being, unapologetically true to themselves, beyond judgment and social norms.

Set in Reykjavík in 1918, the final year of World War I, the nation is celebrating its hard-won independence. But while joy fills the streets, the Spanish flu strikes, and the Katla volcano erupts. Meanwhile, the city’s very first cinemas open their doors – and young Máni (Moon) finds refuge in the flickering shadows of film. There he discovers not only a passion for cinema, but also Sóla (Sun), a girl who uncannily resembles the wild and mysterious Irma Vep from the silent crime series Les Vampires…

This is the Czech premiere of the adaptation of the novel by acclaimed contemporary Icelandic author Sjón.

The project is presented in collaboration with Tjarnarbíó – Iceland’s Center for Performing Arts – and Samtökin ‘78, the Icelandic National Queer Organization. Thanks to this partnership, the production is supported in Reykjavík with accompanying programming including public discussions led by Ásta Kristín Benediktsdóttir, a literary scholar specializing in modern Icelandic literature.

The production was nominated in the 2022/23 Theatre News Awards (Ceny Divadelních novin) in the Alternative Theatre category.
Jan Cina received a nomination in the same awards for Best Male Performance, regardless of genre, for his portrayal of Máni Stein.

Accessibility – suitable also for teenagers, in Czech with English subtitles

Vibe check – seating options, indoors

Trigger warnings – flashing lights