There are more than 40 theatres in Prague. Apart from big theatres with a classical repertoire, there are smallish theatres - these came into existence mostly in the sixties of the last century to criticize the totalitarian regime, and they have been playing the role of critics and innovators ever since. There are also several new experimental theatres in Prague, such as the Black Theatre or the Pantomime Theatre.

One of the most popular theatres amongst visitors in Prague is the ‘black light theatre’ (visual trickery created by ‘invisible’ actors dressed in black). It is hybrid of mime, puppetry and drama. Another popular theatre is puppetry and marionette, suitable for both children and adult (Czech performances are some of the best in the world with legendary Spejbl & Hurvinek from Josef Skupa).

There are several English theatres in Prague but most performances are unfortunately in Czech. Prices for tickets are around 300 CZK. Usually you can get them from the box office or from ticket agencies such a Ticketpro. They have offices all over the city.

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 Nation 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

Famous theatres in Prague are 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).

Krizkova Fontana Water and Light Show in Prague
Do not miss in Prague open air music theatre KŘIŽÍK FOUNTAIN / KŘIŽÍKOVA FONTANA. The fascinating water and light show accompanied by music and dancing is an unforgettable experience.
Prague 7 - Holešovice, Exhibition Ground
www.krizkovafontana.cz

National Black Light Theatre
Fantasy Travellers - Gulliver and Alice in Wonderland. Gulliver won the prize for the Best Fantasy performance at the 52nd World Theatre Festival in Edinburgh. Theatre is represented by Columbia Artistic Management.
www.cernedivadlo.cz


Other well known theatres in Prague are:

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), Anenske nam. 5, Old Town - Czech drama where former Czech president Vaclav Havel honed his skills as playwright a few decades ago. (tickets from 90 CZK) 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 30 CZK) www.divadlovceletne.cz

DIVADLO KOLOWRAT/ THE KOLOWRAT THEATRE
In close vicinity of the National Theatre there is the New Stage that was the home stage of the multimedia theatre LATERNA MAGICA. Performances of this theatre skilfully combine film with ballet and take spectators to the world of imagination and dreams.
Location: Prague 1, Národní 4
Box-office and ticket reservations: Mon - Sat 10:00 - 20:00

PRAGUE STATE OPERA / STÁTNÍ OPERA PRAHA
Operas are usually performed in original language. Prague 1, Wilsonova 4
Box-office and ticket reservations:
Mon - Sat 10:00 - 20:00

Divadlo Palace (Black Light Theatre)
Visitors of Prague have new possibility how to spend free evening within Prague holidays. At the Wenceslas Square (Arcade Jalta) you can find brand new, completely reconstructed black-light theatre called Divadlo Palace, performing a play called The Colour Dreams of Dr. Frankenstein. The horror story was transformed into amusing story about a mad scientist trying to fulfil his dream of creating an artificial human being. The performance uses tricks of black-light theatre and furthermore 3D technology. Thanks to modern technologies, the audience fall into the middle of the action, performer appears above heads of the audience. All these tricks make the performance unforgettable.
Among Place Theatre performers you can find a break dance world champion, artist from the Moscow Cirk and many other outstanding personalities. Convenient central location of the theatre ensures easy access.
Location: Venceslas Sq. 43, Praha 1

ImageTheatre - Black Theatre, Pantomime & Modern Dance (tickets 400CZK)
www.imagetheatre.cz

Svanadovo Theatre (selected performances with EN subtitles)
www.svandovodivadlo.cz

Reduta Theatre - theatre of Jiri Srnec, founder of Prague's original black light theatre, tickets from 370CZK
www.blacktheatresrnec.cz

Ta Fantastika - black light theatre, tickets from 350CZK
www.tafantastika.cz

Divadlo Metro - black theatre of Frantisek Kratochvil, tickets 440CZK
www.divadlometro.cz

Black light theatre Wow Show
www.wow-show.com

Divadlo Broadway
Na Porici 31, Praha 1, Tel +420-225113325