Theatres

There are many theatres in Prague ranging from black light and magic lantern shows to the major opera houses and concert halls. For the spoken word there are regular English language productions – consult up-to-date schedules to check the current position which you’ll readily find around the city.

The city of Prague is world famous for its black light theatres, mimes and magic lantern shows. Most of these shows are based on music with little or no spoken word, and so there is no language problem. Some of the shows are “Miss Sony”, “Quo Vadis”, “Anatomy of the Kiss”, “Wonderful Circus”, “Faust”, “Odysseus”, “Aspects of Alice ”, etc. A selection of these theatres follows but on a stroll around the centre of Prague you will receive a deluge of leaflets etc for these shows.

The National Theatre

The most fabulous of all Czech theatres is The National Theatre in Prague that became the symbol of the Czech national revival period. Financial means for its construction had been raised through a nation-wide public collection. Building works began in 1868 according to the plans of architect J. Zitek. However, in 1881, just as its construction was finally nearing to its end, the theatre burnt out. The reconstruction took two years and on November 18, 1883 the National Theatre was inaugurated with the Czech opera Libuše composed by Bedřich Smetana. Decoration of both exterior and interior is a work of leading Czech artists M. Aleš, F. Ženišek, V. Hynais, J.V. Myslbek and others.

Nowadays, the National Theatre consists of three art ensembles – opera, ballet and drama – which perform at three places: in the original building of The National Theatre, in The Estates Theatre and in The Kolowrat Theatre.  Box-office: Mon – Sun 10:00 – 18:00  www.narodni-divadlo.cz

Location: Národní třída 2, New Town; tickets up to 1200 CZK

Estates Theatre

The Estates Theatre is the oldest theatre in Prague, famed as the place where Mozart conducted the premiere of Don Giovanni on 29 October 1787. Mozartissimo – a medley of highlights from several of Mozart’s operas, including Don Giovanni – is performed here several times a week in summer (see www.bmart.cz); the rest of theyear sees various opera, ballet and drama productions. The theatre is equipped for the hearing-impaired and has wheelchair access (wheelchair bookings can be made up to five days in advance); you can buy tickets from any National Theatre box office.

Location: Ovocný trh 1, Old Town; tickets up to 1200 CZK, website

Image Theatre

Come to the theatre where dancers will express their unspoken, disturbed emotions and overcome the laws of physics in front of your eyes. Music will bring the inanimate to life, tragedy will change into comedy and the unbelievable will become real. Moreover, your imagination will be fully awakened.

Location: Pařížská 4, Old Town; Tickets prices: around 450 CZK; Performances: start at 8pm. website

National Marionette Theatre

National Marionette Theatre has a long tradition in popular entertainment in Prague. Puppets and costumed actors perform classical operas like versions of Mozart’s famous ‘opera of operas’, Don Giovanni, as well as some lighter fare like the enchanting story of The Magic Flute. Another interesting performance is the Puppet Gala Performance, which is a mix of the puppeteers’ finest works. Come to see some of the great performances at this authentic theatre which usually begin at 8pm.

Location: Žatecká 1, Old Town, website

Other theatres in Prague:

Laterna Magika, Nardoni trida 4  (multimedia show with dance, opera and music, tickets 690 CZK) or Cinoherni Klub, Ve smeckach 26 www.cinoherniklub.cz (Czech language modern drama, around 200 CZK).

Divadlo Minor, Vodickova 6, New Town – children’s theatre offering mix of puppets and panthomime www.minor.cz

Music Theatre Karlin – The music theatre offers comedies with songs, operettas, musicals.

Divadlo na Vinohradech, namesti Miru 7, Vinohrady – Czech language ballet and drama

Divadlo na Zabradli (Theatre on the Balustrade), Aneske nam. 5, Old Town – Czech drama where former Czech president Vaclav Havel honed his skills as playwright a few decades ago. (tickets from 90CZK) www.nazabradli.cz

Divadlo Spejbla a Hurvinka, Dejvicka 38, Prague 6 – Famous puppeteer Josef Skupa created in 1930 characters Spejbl & Hurvinek. Theatre mainly for children. www.spejbl-hurvinek.cz

Divadlo v Celetne, Celetna 17, Old Town – Performances of Czech drama and some foreign plays but only in Czech language (tickets from 30CZK) www.divadlovceletne.cz