I haven’t slept much the last few nights. Maybe it was the weather, maybe it was the curry I had for dinner. Anyway, as I lay there tossing and turning, mindlessly scrolling through my phone, I noticed a new email.
From Danny John-Jules.
Yes. That Danny. The Cat himself.
I stared at the screen for a moment and, honestly, I was afraid to open it. What if it was just a figment of my sleep-deprived imagination? What if it was just some kind of scam? Someone had hacked his account. What if it was just a dream?
But in the morning, the email was still there.
Danny is planning a trip to the Czech Republic — MotoGP in Brno, a short meeting in Prague, and if I could possibly get him a Q&A recording from Comic-Con in Prague. Specifically, the moment where he talks about Karel Abraham, and Draky shows him our April Fools‘ montage where he is wearing a traditional costume — You can find out more about this event here and here.
Yes. A TRADITIONAL COSTUME.
At Comic Con in Prague, he promised that the next time he came to the Czech Republic, he would put on a traditional costume and dance. And when Cat promises something, he keeps his word. In style, of course.
I immediately replied that we were requesting the recording from Comic-Con from Draky and that I would send him the link as soon as it was available. I sent him a link to Comic-Con Talks in case he wanted to see other videos from the event in the meantime.
I also contacted Tezi, a master of traditional costumes and folk dances. And lo and behold, she had one costume available. But it was in Zlín. Then something happened that even Holly would call a „one in seven billion chance“ – Tezi’s sister was going to Zlín that week. She picked up the costume and brought it to Brno. Level of happiness: maximum.
At the same time, we were looking for a cameraman for Danny. Because when you’re wearing a costume and you’re Danny John-Jules, someone has to record it. Filip got in touch. Coincidence number two: he lives near Tezi’s sister. He picked up the costume and started preparing for the big handover.
Meanwhile, Danny planned to arrive on Saturday morning, take part in Sunday’s race, and sleep at Karel Abraham’s place. And he said we could go for a drink on Monday. Like, no stress, just a classic weekend when Cat stops by for coffee.
But the plan hit a snag: the plane tickets.
On Friday, Danny found out that there were no flights to Brno on Saturday morning. So he ended up landing in Prague. We discussed how to get to the Brno circuit from a distance. Bus? Train? Yeah, but there was no direct transport from the airport. And so a decision worthy of the action-oriented Cat was made: to rent a car.
In the afternoon, Danny called to say he was already in Brno, at the circuit, and was looking for Karel Abrahám. I suggested handing over the costume after the race, ideally somewhere where no one would accidentally spill wine on the embroidered sleeve. I left the organization of the Brno part to Filip, who already had the costume in his hands.
And so began a weekend where the worlds of sci-fi, Moravian folk fashion, and MotoGP intertwined in a way we couldn’t have imagined even in the craziest episode of Red Dwarf.
Filip’s report from the circuit
Saturday’s wait
From the morning, I was on pins and needles, waiting for Danny to call. Bára told me that there had been more than enough complications with his transport. After changing from bus to car, I was quite relieved. I expected Danny to call every few minutes to arrange a time and place for the handover. Every few minutes turned into 8:00 p.m.
A call from Danny
„Hi, this is Danny John Jules,“ came the voice on the phone. To my surprise, I wasn’t too nervous and answered simply and directly. After a brief discussion, we agreed that the handover would take place at the „paddock entrance.“ I wish I knew where that was and what to expect.
Waiting for God (Danny)
We were obviously thinking of different things, and after an hour of waiting, four phone calls, and two text messages with coordinates, a light brown Hyundai emerged from the darkness and asked, „Is that you?“
After an hour of pacing and listening to drunk Austrians, I didn’t have much energy left to be nervous. We shook hands, and I explained the terms of renting the costume. After explaining all the details, Danny asked me if I wanted to go with him to the Moto GP tomorrow as a cameraman/documentary filmmaker for his project. I agreed stoically but pleasantly (in my head I was screaming: Fockin hell yeah!!). When I got into the car, I realized what was going to happen, and somehow I couldn’t comprehend it.
Morning meeting at the Abrahams‘ house
On that Sunday morning, I woke up quite early, feeling uncertain and slightly nervous. At 6:06 a.m., I received a text message saying „Meet at Karel’s house 10 a.m.“ with coordinates and a map clipping. When I arrived at Karel Abraham’s house, Danny, wearing only white trousers from a traditional costume, welcomed me. I immediately pointed out that he looked like a Brazilian Kapoeira dancer. Thanks to the photos provided by Terka (the owner of the costume), we were able to dress Danny exactly according to tradition so that he would not cause offense in the region where the costume originates. After photographing Danny for Terka’s approval, we decided to move to the race track.
Move to the race track
While moving to the VIP zone, we passed several checkpoints. Danny always greeted everyone and behaved with his usual charm. He looked quite unusual in his costume and behind the wheel, but everyone reacted with pleasant surprise, including a member of the armed forces who was, so to speak, almost disarmed by his demeanor and appearance.
Monster stage
After parking and getting our bearings, Danny said we had to go to the Monster stage. Where else but backstage? We didn’t really go through the official route via security. After half a second of thinking and looking for a way, Danny simply opened the wire barriers that separate the public area from the non-public area at similar events. Unfortunately, due to my poor memory for names, I can’t remember all the names of the managers and big bosses we met. However, Danny managed to direct both the big bosses and a small army of hostesses to stand where they needed to be for the shooting of a short video, which will be one of many intended for Danny’s work.
Alpinestar headquarters
After a few words Danny exchanged with the local Monster stage elite, we moved towards the paddock. First up was the Alpinestars main tent. Danny met some old acquaintances from management again and greeted them. After a few photos and short videos, we sat down at the bar for a coffee. Danny told me how, years ago, he met Jason Statham in a similar place, with whom he collaborated on the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Apparently, no one could believe their eyes when they approached each other at the event, and Jason gave him his phone number. He immediately showed me the number on his phone. I have never seen a more interesting phone number.
Gresini’s facilities
The next stop on our VIP tour was the Gresini team. With Danny, you feel like you’re welcomed everywhere, as he greeted the team’s management like his brothers. The day before, he celebrated his birthday with one of the team members, where Alex Marquez (team rider) smashed a cake in the birthday boy’s face. We had lunch at the main tent here. Where else but at the Italian main tent? 😀 The local diners were captivated by Danny and his outfit, and a Russian couple at the next table started chatting with him. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what they talked about. From a more distant neighboring table, the Marquez family smiled at Danny. After lunch and a few Italian desserts, we got up to move on to the next team.
Monster Yamaha pit
After a very short walk, we arrived at the Monster Energy Yamaha pit, where we met the pit management, whom Danny had already met at the Monster stage. As always, the reunion and greetings were accompanied by smiles and joy. We didn’t stay here long and went for a walk through the corridor created by trucks and service facilities behind the pits.
Strolling between the teams
In the corridor, if you can call it that, I filmed Danny walking among the people, greeting them, and meeting his friends from the world of motorcycle racing. In the meantime, Danny explains to me how Moto GP works, the business relationships, friendships, relationships between the individual teams, and what it means to be part of this machine. I’ve never been much into motorcycles, but Danny’s explanation brought me closer to this industry than anyone else before.
Start of the main race at Gresini
The start of the main race was approaching, and we moved to the Gresini pit, where Alex Marquez was starting. We waited for the start at the back of the pit, together with the Marquez family, among others. As the start approached, the atmosphere grew tense, the silence was almost palpable, and even I held my breath when I realized where we were and what was about to happen. Danny filmed the atmosphere and the preparations before the start, and he also took several photos of me in the pits. He was clearly happy to be able to give someone the experience of a lifetime. The race started, and everyone watched intently, including the two of us. Unfortunately for the team, Alex Marquez was one of three riders who did not finish the race.
Anchored in Alpinestar – we were hot
About halfway through the race, we moved back to Alpinestars, where we watched the race from the comfort of our chairs and checked our phones in between. We had some light refreshments again, and each of us took a Red Bull for the rest of the trip.
Strolling around the backstage area – meeting Grolich – Mireček moment
After the race, we found ourselves back in the corridor, where people were taking photos with Danny without knowing who he was. The editor of moto.cz looked at Danny with some suspicion while taking random photos. Later, he came back to us and asked if that was Danny John-Jules. After confirming this, the editor was no longer interested in the racers, but in Danny. He was probably one of us Dwarfes. 😀
„At the Masaryk Circuit, you could also meet a foreign star with a very warm relationship to motorcycles, an enthusiastic fan and comedian who became famous for his role as a cat in the cult and iconic English series called „Red Dwarf.“ You guessed it, it was none other than Danny John-Jules, who always cheers you up and brightens your day with his positive attitude.“
After taking a photo with Danny, we said goodbye and continued on our way. A group of about six photographers, who were clearly fascinated by Danny, were walking towards us. I was suspicious as to why there were so many of them in one place, but the reason soon became clear. The lenses aimed at Danny were originally intended for Jan Grolich (Governor of South Moravia), and close behind him was Petr Fiala (Prime Minister of the Czech Republic – translated to Danny as „Czech Tony Blair“). Petr Fiala just looked surprised, but continued walking. However, Jan Grolich was more than interested and struck up a conversation with Danny. The Governor of South Moravia told him that he liked that he was wearing a Moravian costume. He began to explain that there is a similar character in Czech pop culture named Mireček (as seen in the film Jak básníkům chutná život). I had not previously considered the similarity. Danny was absolutely thrilled and wanted to know as much as possible about the film and Mireček. That evening, I sent him a key scene with Mireček in traditional costume and a link to IMDB.
After saying goodbye to Governor, Danny told me that he was the new Czech Mireček. 😀
Danny saw people in the corridor who were having their photos taken and logically assumed that they were celebrities. „Who is this guy?“ I replied, „Přemek Forejt. Michelline chef. Something like Gordon Ramsay. He did an advertising campaign for McDonald’s.“
Coffee at Monster Yamaha – Danny received a message that Queeg had died.
The crowds in the corridor thinned out, and we decided to go for coffee at Monster Energy Yamaha.
I should point out that we still had cans of Red Bull in our hands. We realized what blasphemy we had committed, but we more or less made fun of it. Danny even took the initiative to take a funky photo of himself with the wife of one of the key people in the team, standing at the bar with two cans of Red Bull on a Monster rubber mat in front of them. Unfortunately, I’m afraid this photo will never be released to the public. 😀
After a while of drinking coffee and answering phone calls, Danny became serious and told me that Queeg (Charles Augins) had died. The mood dropped considerably, and after a while Danny began to talk. He recalled how Charles created the choreography for Tongue Tied, for the movie Labyrinth, and others. He also recalled how they had dinner with Rob Grant and Doug Naylor. After Charles left, one of them said that they had to cast this guy. They did, and one of the most iconic characters of Red Dwarf was born.
Moving on to meet Karel Abrahám
The race was over, and packing began as if we were leaving for good. Danny and I decided it was time to go. Task No. 1 was to find Karel Abrahám, Danny’s host. As we moved on, Danny explained to me how promotion works in the entertainment industry, how relationships and networking work. For someone from a technical field, it was an interesting insight into such a different industry. By coincidence, Danny received a call from the organizer of the London Comic-Con event, which apparently was not too dissimilar from classic Cons. We found Karel at the Nova SPORT stage, where he had been commenting on the race since the morning. When he saw Danny in his costume, he smiled kindly, but he seemed to be used to Danny’s antics. Incidentally, despite his wealth, he is a totally easy-going guy without any airs and graces or the need to elevate himself above others. The end of the race had finally caught up with him, and he was gradually getting ready to go home. Just like us.
Danny’s refresh
Danny was still full of energy even after a whole day in costume and in direct sunlight, so after arriving at Casa de Abraham, he decided to take a shower so he could go into town and find the nearest coffee shop. After his shower, Danny came alive even more, but my batteries were even more depleted. Where does he get it from?!
Leaving for the cars
After a few conversations, packing up the costume, and signing a DVD of the first series of Red Dwarf with a dedication to Terka, the owner of the costume, who had set this as the price for renting it, we decided to say goodbye and go to the cars. Karel was also leaving, as he had some business to attend to in the city center. On the way to the car, we talked about Karel’s Rolls Royce in the garage, and Danny said, „It’s nothing, I’m going to show you something…“
We went back—Danny wanted to show us Karel’s entire residence.
We returned to the residence, and Danny realized he needed to do some laundry. What followed was something I never would have dreamed of. I taught Cat how to use the washing machine. After the scene „I’m doing my laundry!“ in the episode „Confidence and Paranoia,“ it shouldn’t have surprised me that much. Danny only had a rough idea of how to use a washing machine, and the programs on it were in Czech. After throwing the laundry into the washing machine, we decided to go for a walk around the residence. Only the main parts, not the living quarters. Karel Abraham has a really nice house. It wasn’t particularly large, but it was well furnished, though not extravagantly.
During the tour, he decided to make a short documentary – I was the cameraman.
During the tour of the house, Danny had the idea that we could make a short documentary about how Moto GP racers live. In the end, we realized that this documentary would only be for private purposes, but that didn’t matter. I got a lecture on filmmaking and how to be a good cameraman. 😀 We went through the locations and discussed how we would work to make sure everything went smoothly on the first take. From the way Danny instructed me, it was clear that he was an expert in the field and that this was nothing new to him. We created a lot of video content and briefly talked about the filming of Blade 2 and how they went wild with Ron Perlman in the center of Prague.
By the time we finished talking about Blade 2, it was already 8 p.m., and unfortunately, I had to get back to reality and prepare for work the next day. Danny drove me to my car, which was parked nearby, and we spent a good 10 minutes in the car talking about working in the entertainment industry. I thanked Danny for a truly enriching and entertaining day. I was on the verge of physical exhaustion, but Danny still looked like he had woken up on the best day of his life… fresh and rested. My head couldn’t comprehend it. I hope that at his age, I will have the same amount of energy and joy for life as he does.
Monday’s mission: Svíčková and Danny John-Jules over a beer
It was all supposed to be simple. Danny John-Jules, aka Cat from Red Dwarf, was returning to Prague from MotoGP in Brno on Monday and suggested we go for „a drink.“
Finally, Danny called me from his car somewhere between Brno and Prague. He suggested meeting at the airport. He also wanted me to help finding a hotel. I tried to Google something near the airport, but then we agreed to meet and figure out the hotel on the spot.
We were supposed to meet at the car rental place, where Danny arrived around 7 p.m. with his usual broad smile, arms wide open, and a suitcase full of gifts. Our first stop was the rental place to extend the car rental, and Danny gave the assistant a signed jersey from Karel Abrahám. In return, the assistant gave Danny a bottle of Slivovice.
Then we tried a Marriott hotel right next to the parking lot. The receptionist had „plenty of rooms,“ but he wanted ID. Unfortunately, Danny had his in the car. So we went back to the car, and on the way, he excitedly showed me an embroidered shirt he get from Tezi, which he was very happy about.
When we finally returned with our documents, we were in for shock number two: they no longer had any rooms available. Honestly, I felt like pouring myself a shot of slivovice.
But in the end, after a little magic, they found a free room.
„Do you want a double bed or two singles?“ „I’m not sleeping here, so it doesn’t matter,“ I replied. „Ten beds, no problem,“ Danny added, „and I’ll jump to a different one every hour.“
Classic.
Hotel sorted, suitcase stowed away, and we headed back to the rental company to check when we had to return the car. By 9:45 p.m. No problem.
On the way to town, Danny told stories from Brno—how everyone liked the costume, how much the cameraman Filip helped him, and most importantly, how everyone there started calling him „Mireček.“ I explained to him that Mireček is a character from the Czech film series „Básníci“ (Poets), which is quite cult here. In one scene, Mireček puts on a traditional costume – we sent him the scene. Danny promised to reenact the scene when he returned to England.
We planned to have dinner at U Pinkasů. But first we had to fill up the car. In the end, I filled it up (for the first time in my life!), while Danny bought us both pink energy drinks and started planning a perfume called „The Essence of Cat“ and writing his Cat memoirs. If it ever gets published, I’ll buy the first copy.
While driving, Danny spotted a billboard and mentioned that he had auditioned for the series Wednesday, but that it hadn’t worked out yet. I wonder what character he would play.
On the way, I showed him Prague—Charles Bridge, the Dancing House, Mánes, the church with the paratroopers from Operation Anthropoid… I sounded like Holly with a children’s encyclopedia of the universe. We were looking for a parking spot when Danny got a call from Comic Con about organizing another event. Great timing – right in the center of Prague, in the car, in the middle of hunting for a parking spot.
And then came the episode that could be called „The Parking Meter from Hell.“ For the first time in my life, I bought a parking ticket. It made about as much sense as a manual for a Japanese video.
And because fate is a screenwriter with a very peculiar sense of humor, Danny noticed a guy sitting in the car next to us masturbating. Seriously. Cat got angry, asked where the police were, and the whole thing started to look like a bad B-movie crime thriller.
So we quickly moved on to the restaurant where our friend Michal was supposed to meet us.
On the way, we made a quick stop at Jungmann Square, where Danny wanted to take a photo with the statue, and I explained to him who Josef Jungmann was.
I also showed him the House of Music, where my grandfather used to work. Meanwhile, Danny noticed a Bata store and began to reminisce about how popular this brand used to be in England.
Meanwhile, Michal came over and gave Danny the complete „Bata lore“ – from shoes to urbanism.
At U Pinkasů, we decided to sit in the Gothic garden, right next to the Church of Our Lady of the Snows. Danny was fascinated that we were literally drinking beer next to a church.
As soon as we entered the garden—bang!—two local guests pounced on Danny. A moment later, he was holding a shot of slivovice. It immediately disappeared into his stomach.
We ordered three Pilsners. We recommended svíčková to Danny. He had already had goulash on the way there, and he didn’t like it very much. We gave him an explanation of svíčková.
And when the food arrived, Danny started singing:
„I’m going to eat you little SvíSví! I’m going to eat you little SvíSví! ‚Cause I like Svíčková!“
Yep. This is reality.
Which, paradoxically, brings us back to the April Fool’s joke, which, as you may remember, was subtitled „Dumplings and Reality.“
Danny liked the svíčková, but he only ate half of it: „Why is everything so heavy here?“ I laughed and said that it was probably because we are a nation that survived the cold and wars thanks to that.
He was curious why we have so few vegetables in our food. So we assured him that svíčková is made from vegetables. Just… with a lot of cream and dumplings. And my patties were made from cauliflower. Fried. And here, that’s just vegetables Czech style.
Danny admitted that if he stayed a few more days, he wouldn’t fit into his pants. But he praised the svíčková and the beer.
After dinner, he decided to pop into a coffee shop, which was no problem in the city center. He made his purchases, we accompanied him back to his car, and… we said goodbye.
With the understanding that it wasn’t the last time.
And so ended one of the most remarkable weekends of my life. It began with unexpected news, continued with the search for a costume, and ended with singing about svíčková and plans for Cat perfume.
We’re staying in touch. Cat’s next adventure is only a matter of time.
