Stories set in exotic locations — full of suspense, danger, villains, and honorable heroes with unwavering morals.

These are the kinds of tales written by Otakar Batlička — adventurer, traveler, amateur radio operator, and author — for young readers of the interwar Czech magazine Mladý hlasatel (Young Herald). He wrote around two hundred of these captivating short stories for children and teenagers, and we’ve selected a few to bring back to life.

We want them to once again evoke the scent of distant lands, danger, and heroism — and remind audiences of this original personality, surrounded by many so-called “Batlička legends”, where truth and fiction are now nearly impossible to separate. Some of these legends were imagined by Batlička himself — or by those who later popularized him.

Batlička was a colleague and likely a source of inspiration for the famous Czech author Jaroslav Foglar (some say even the slang insult “plantážníci” [“plantationers”] comes from Batlička). As a young man at the beginning of the 20th century, he reportedly traveled across multiple continents.

He supposedly worked as a circus hand, lifeguard, and even a subway driver in New York. He could shoot, ride horses, and speak English, German, and Spanish. He rode elephants, crossed oceans, trekked deserts and icy wastelands, searched for diamonds, and fought criminals. His life seemed like a blend of detective story, action movie, travelogue — and the tall tales of Baron Munchausen.
Eventually, he returned to Prague, where he worked a variety of jobs and became a passionate amateur radio operator. Through radio waves, he could travel the world once again. This skill later proved useful during World War II, when he joined the resistance. He was arrested by the Gestapo during the Heydrich terror and murdered in the Mauthausen concentration camp. He died as one of the brave fighters for freedom and justice — just like the heroes in his stories.

Alongside the works of Jules Verne, Karl May, or Jaroslav Foglar, Batlička’s stories held a place in the hearts of young readers. Yet while those other authors have remained in the public eye, Batlička has often faded into obscurity. But he doesn’t deserve to be forgotten.

Come see for yourself at Alfa Theatre. Our production brings a live, playful selection of Batlička’s most thrilling adventures to the stage — using puppetry and live cinema techniques.
We aim to inspire today’s children with Batlička’s world — a world full of courage, creativity, and a boundless curiosity for discovery.

Come explore with us!
It’s going to be a ride — and you can be part of it.