Jul 16 2008
Prague Theaters
Theaters in Prague
Czech theater culture is alive and very vibrant now like never before! Whether you are looking for well known classic or something light and entertaining, you will find everything in Prague theaters.
Capital of Czech Republic Prague is truly the European center of culture. Prague is a city famous for its numerous theaters and cultural nightlife. Like all major cities, Prague offers the well-known operas, ballets, plays, and dance shows. Theater culture in Czech Republic of the 21st century is very vibrant, rich and colorful. It includes opera and ballet, drama, black-light theater, pantomime, puppet theater and popular musicals.
If it is your first visit to Prague it’s advisable to go and listen some classical music concert in Rudolfinum or Municipal House, then visit State Opera and of course to see some black light theater performance. There are about 20 theaters in Prague with performances mostly in Czech language, but foreigners can always visit a couple of opera in Italian or ballet performances every night in Prague.
National Theater in Czech Narodni Divadlo is known as the Alma Mater of Czech Opera, and as the national monument of Czech history and art. And it really can impress you. National Theater is a big brown neo-classical building with arches of coffered ceilings and Greek masks; it has two floors of arches that make up the facade. The decoration and design of the National theater interior is in the neo-Renaissance style with flowers and gilded goddesses along the balconies. National Theatre consists of 3 artistic ensembles – ballet, opera and drama – and performances take part in the Theatre of the Estates, in the historic building of the National Theatre and in the Theatre Kolowrat. All three artistic ensembles select their repertoire from the rich classical heritage focusing on modern world output.
If you want to enjoy concert in Prague, go to Rudolfinum, one of the most famous concert halls in Prague - it is the second most important pseudo - renaissance building after the National Theatre in Prague. Rudolfinum is a place where the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra plays. Nowadays famous Rudolfinum held many of the concerts of the Prague Spring and Autumn Music Festivals and other events. Some of the Rudolfinum halls and the lobby can be even rented for special concerts, receptions and social events.
Drama is very popular and widespread theater genre in Prague and whole Czech Republic. Divadlo Archa (Archa Theatre) situated in the street Na Poříčí 26, Prague 1 is a distinctive drama stage presenting both its own artistic projects and also performances by domestic and foreign visiting ensembles. Prague Divadlo Archa is the most daring and hippest theatre of international avant-garde luminaries of dance, theatre and music to its well-equipped space and versatile. Many of the performances are in English, and this fact helps to attract an international audience.
Black Light Image Theatre (Černé divadlo) also known as Magic Latern theatre is a popular form of dramatic art that involves performers dressing in black against a black backdrop (thus being invisible). Actors are able to perform puppetry and pantomime with breathtaking results. Prague Black Light Theater is considered the best and a leading exponent of the art in the world where you can see such a spectacle.
National Marionette Theatre is another not-to-be-missed experience in Prague. It’s a totally unique and whimsical look into Czech culture providing a nice foil for all the architecture and history you’ll be treated to during your time in the theater.
After visiting several theaters in Prague and shows in different genres you will realize why residents of Prague have, for over two hundred years, been indulged in a love affair with the dramatic arts, thanks to a wide-range of theatre venues and a varied scene that includes first-rate fringe offerings together with more well-known plays and International musicals. Enjoy cultural heritage in Prague.