If we can be really proud of something in Slovakia, it is definitely connected with the name of Marián Labuda. But today, the tradition of the acting family is not only represented by the father, but also by the son Marián and even the grandson Richard. Marián Labuda Jr., the middle member of the Labuda generation, carries on his father's artistic legacy with dignity.
What was your path to acting? Was it something that was not discussed in your family or did you choose this profession yourself?
The profession of an actor was basically invented by my father, because he saw that I was a big rascal. I was not good at mathematics, physics or chemistry, so we decided that I would go to a conservatory where these subjects are not.
He played in several musicals at the Andrej Bagár Theater in Nitra and at the New Stage in Bratislava. Why musical acting? Do you have a special relationship with him?
This is already a thing of the past because for ten years I have been working at the Astorka Theater in Bratislava, which focuses on drama. But yes, I used to do mostly musicals, I liked singing and dancing, but I was always drawn to drama. Astorka met my expectations in this area with her level.
You move between theatre, film, television, radio and dubbing. You are truly a multi-functional artist. Is it even possible to say what you enjoy the most?
Recently, I had the opportunity to act in a film in the Czech Republic, for which I am very grateful, because I played the main role. I found that working in front of the camera is very interesting, but if I am to return to the theater, that is something quite different, that is the action, the reaction of the artist towards the audience. It has to come out the first time, the scene cannot be repeated, and that has its charm. But in front of the camera, the actor can try these situations over and over until the director is satisfied.
In the Arena Theatre, he took over the baton in the performance of Tiso after his father. Do critics and audiences compare you?
I have no idea if they are comparing us, nothing like that has reached my ears yet. And I don't know if there are any viewers who have seen both my father and I play. In any case, I got this role at a much younger age than my father. He tried it when he was almost sixty, I got this opportunity after forty. I have to say that it is my greatest theater experience so far. It is a very demanding text of a predominantly political nature, and it was preceded by long conversations with the director.
You have completed the premiere of the musical Peter Pan at the ŠOK Theater in Šala, which is intended for parents and children. Who do you think is the better viewer? Children or adults?
Children are far more spontaneous and honest than an adult viewer, because they immediately show whether they like something or not.
In his career, he tried permanent engagement in the theater, but also freelance work. What do you think is more beneficial for an actor? The certainty of the background or artistic freedom?
It depends on how old he is and how much acting experience he has. When an actor is talented and cast, he does not need to have a permanent engagement. But if the actor is fresh out of school, he needs to gain experience somewhere, and then it's good to have a theater background. Our profession is very fickle, sometimes you can't stop and there will be periods when there is literally nothing to poke at. An actor is like a young lady waiting for her chance to be asked to dance.
Are your artistic activities limited to Slovakia or will the audience be able to meet you in the Czech Republic as well?
As I already mentioned, in the spring I shot a two-part TV movie in the Czech Republic, which should premiere next year in May. I'm really looking forward to it.
Which of your roles do you value the most?
The theater characters are Tiso and Švejk, and the TV characters are the aforementioned film about Emanuel Moravec, the most famous Czech collaborator from World War II. world war.
Your son Riško has also appeared in some films and TV series. So can we look forward to another successor to the Labudov tradition?
Yes, Riško intends to go to VŠMU, he really enjoys this job. He first came into contact with acting when he was eleven years old and it has stuck with him ever since. And even puberty didn't change that.
Does the popular actor find some free time in addition to his workload? How do you like to spend it?
I have less free time at the moment, but I always try to spend it with my family. In the summer we go to the cottage or to the sea, in the winter we go skiing. Children are growing like water, and before we know it, we will be vacationing alone with my wife. So I enjoy it and look forward to every such moment.
Can a person still enjoy this profession after so many years of constant gaming?
I don't regret doing acting. It fills me up, I improve my memory and I'm constantly in motion.
The interview was prepared by: Vladimír Dubeň