PRAGUE

8 CULTURE & EVENTS
Prague is something of a cultural Mecca, and not just because
of the affordable tickets. There was always a lively
tradition here (Mozart was celebrated as a hero in Prague
while shunned in Vienna), and the influx of culture-hungry
tourists in the past decade has led to an enormous variety
of concerts. Tickets are best and easiest booked via the
ticket agencies. Remember, going to the theatre or opera
is still something of an event in Prague, and it's courteous
to dress up when visiting.
Black Light Theatre
A Prague speciality; fluorescent mime actors and puppets
moving in front of a black background. Great for children,
and for adults too.
All Colours Theatre E-4, Praha 1, Rytířská 31,
MMůstek, tel. (+420) 221 61 01 73, www.blacktheatre.cz.
Tickets 450Kč. Q Performances start at 20:30.
Animato F-3, Praha 1, Na Příkopě 10, MMůstek, tel.
(+420) 281 93 26 65, www.volny.cz/black.theatre.
Tickets 430Kč. Q Performances start at 20:30.
Image Black Theatre E-1, Praha 1, Pařížská 4,
MStaroměstská, tel. (+420) 222 31 44 58, www.
imagetheatre.cz. Tickets 480Kč. Q Performances start
at 20:00.
Jiří Srnec Black Light Theatre D-4, Praha 1, Národní
20, tel. (+420) 721 58 92 44, www.blacktheatresrnec.
cz. Tickets 520Kč. Q Performances start at 19:30.
Metro Theatre D-4, Praha 1, Národní třída 25,
MNárodní třída, tel. (+420) 221 08 52 76, www.
blacktheatreprague.cz. Tickets 440Kč. The performance
is followed by a workshop and lasts about 80 minutes. Q
Performances start at 20:00.
Palace Theatre I-4, Praha 1, Václavské nám. 43,
MMůstek, tel. (+420) 224 22 88 14, www.palacetheatre.cz.
Tickets 140 - 340Kč. Q Performances start
at 20:00.
Ta Fantastika D-3, Praha 1, Karlova 8, MStaroměstská,
tel. (+420) 222 22 13 66, www.tafantastika.cz. Tickets
700Kč. Q Performances start at 21:30.
WOW Show (Theater Blanik) I-4, Praha 1, Vaclavske
namesti 56, MMůstek, tel. (+420) 224 03 21 72, info@
wow-show.com, www.wow-show.com. Tickets 550Kč. Q
Performances start at 20:00.
Cinema
Multiplex cinemas are big business, although the smaller,
older independents survive on their quirky, less Hollywooddictated
programmes and cheaper tickets. Village, Palace
and City Cinemas are the more expensive multiplexes (159
- 199Kč) although there is discount Monday, Tuesday &
Wednesday, with tickets for 109Kč - see below for details.
Czech and other non-English language films are not usually
subtitled in English, but we do have access to more titles now.
English language films are usually subtitled, except kids' films
which are dubbed. For listings see www.expats.cz.
Aero Praha 3, Biskupcova 31, tel. (+420) 271 77 13 49,
www.kinoaero.cz. A cool little arthouse cinema in Žižkov;
tram N°9 to Biskupcova. Q Tickets 40 - 95Kč.
Cinema City Flóra Praha 3, Vinohradská 149, MFlóra,
tel. (+420) 255 74 20 21, www.cinemacity.cz. Includes
an IMAX theatre. Q Tickets 159Kč, Tue 109Kč. Also at
Galaxie, Arkalycká 1; Zličín, Řevnická 1.
Lucerna I-4, Praha 1, Vodičkova 36, MMůstek, tel.
(+420) 224 21 69 72, www.multikino.cz. Apparently
the longest-running cinema in Prague with Czech and English
language films. A classic.
Palace Cinemas Slovanský Dům F-3, Praha 1, Na
Příkopě 22, tel. (+420) 257 18 12 12, www.palacecinemas.cz.
Popular city-centre multiplex, which is often the
only cinema with English language versions of films other
cinemas show dubbed. Q Tickets 159Kč, Wed 109Kč. Also
at Letňany, Veselská 663; Nový Smíchov, Plzeňská 8; Park
Hostivař, Švehlova 32.
Ponrepo D-4, Praha 1, Bartolomějská 11, MNárodní
třída, tel. (+420) 224 23 32 81, www.sweb.cz/mjos/
ponrepo/index.html. The official theatre of the National Film
Archive and membership can be bought from 14.00 - 18.00
Mon - Fri for 150/100Kč.
Světozor I-4, Praha 1, Vodičkova 41, MMůstek, tel.
(+420) 224 94 75 66, www.kinosvetozor.cz. An arthouse
cinema showing classic, current and less mainstream movies,
plus Czech movies with English subtitles. Q Tickets
100/50Kč.
Village Cinemas Anděl Praha 5, Radlická 1E, MAnděl,
tel. (+420) 251 11 51 11, www.villagecinemas.cz. Another
cinema complex, this one has an European art house
cinema and Gold Class, where you sit in armchairs and can
eat and drink to your heart's content. Q Tickets 159Kč, Mon
109Kč. Also at Village Cinemas Černý most.
Concerts & Opera
The architecture is superb, but be sure to catch this aspect
that has added to Prague's fame, her music. Mozart
wasn't wrong to embrace Prague as fervently as Prague
embraced Mozart.
Municipal House F-3, Praha 1, Nám. Republiky 5, tel.
(+420) 222 00 21 21, www.obecni-dum.cz. Housing
a variety of halls, the stunning Art Nouveau Obecní dům
is the venue for many classical concerts. Outside, you'll
always find dressed-up people selling tickets for the ‘best
of Mozart'-type shows, which can be great as they're usually
well performed, and good for children too as they're not
too long. Q Booking office open 10:00 - 18:00. Tickets
200 - 1,300Kč.
State Opera I-4, Praha 1, Wilsonova 4, tel. (+420) 224
22 72 66, www.opera.cz. A fabulous neo-Rococo pile quite
unfortunately wedged between the station, National Museum
and two busy roads. Built in 1888 for Prague's German
Theatre Association, it is worth a visit for the glamorous
gold-and-plush interior and the view of the sumptuous ceiling
alone. Operas are usually performed in the original language,
with Czech or English subtitles projected above the stage.
For tours of the building, contact Prague's tourist office. Q
Booking office open 10:00 - 17:30; Sat, Sun 10:00 - 12:00,
13:00 - 17:30. Tickets 100 - 1,150Kč.
Tickets
Bohemia Ticket International F-3, Praha 1, Na
Příkopě 16, tel. (+420) 224 21 50 31, www.ticketsbti.cz.
QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 17:00,
Sun 10:00 - 15:00. Also at (E-3) Praha 1, Malé nám. A
Ticket Art I-4, Praha 1, Politických vězňů 9, tel.
(+420) 222 89 75 52, www.ticket-art.cz. QOpen
09:00 - 17:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.
Ticketpro E-3, Praha 1, Rytířská 12, tel. (+420)
296 32 99 99, www.ticketpro.cz. QOpen 09:00 -
20:00. A
Ticketstream I-6, Praha 2, Koubkova 8, tel. (+420)
224 26 30 49, www.ticketstream.cz. QOpen 09:00
- 18:00. Closed Sun. A
Prague In Your Pocket prague.inyourpocket.com
Stavovské divadlo (Estates Theatre) E-3, Praha 1,
Ovocný trh 1, tel. (+420) 224 22 85 03, www.narodnidivadlo.cz.
The first theatre to be built in Prague, and it was
also here that Mozart's Don Giovanni made its debut to a
rapturous Czech audience; the opera was destined to bomb
in Vienna. Q Booking office open 10:00 - 18:00. Tickets
30 - 1,000Kč.
Klementinum D-3, Praha 1, Křižovnická 2, tel. (+420)
221 66 32 60, www.klementinum.cz. The beautiful
building is home to some good classical music concerts
in sublime grounds. Plus now, the Codex Gigas or Devil's
Bible is on show until Jan 6, 2008. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00.
Closed Mon. Performances start at 18:00 unless otherwise
specified.
Karlín Music Theatre Praha 8, Křižíkova 10, tel.
(+420) 221 86 87 77, objednavky@hdk.cz, www.hdk.cz.
The theatre has a long history in the city; its first performance
was the circus back in 1881. Fast forward to the floods of
2002 which saw the historic building practically destroyed.
The theatre reopened in 2006 and has been hosting a string
of popular musicals ever since. Q 230-700 Kč.
Puppet theatre
Prague is famous for puppets, and these shows make a
great night out as language is not usually a barrier.
Divadlo Minor I-4, Praha 1, Vodičkova 6, tel. (+420)
222 23 17 02, www.minor.cz. Tickets 30-80Kč. QOpen
09:00 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 20:00.
Říše loutek D-2, Praha 1, Žatecká 1, tel. (+420) 222
32 45 65, www.riseloutek.cz.
National Marionette Theatre D-2, Praha 1, Žatecká
1, tel. (+420) 224 81 93 22, www.mozart.cz.
Theatre
Divadlo Alfred ve dvoře I-1, Praha 7, Fr. Křížka 36,
tel. (+420) 233 37 69 97, www.alfredvedvore.cz. A
small theatre specialising in moving, visual and experimental
theatre and dance, with several performances that can be
enjoyed by non-Czech speakers. Ticket office and bar opens
an hour before each performance. Q All performances are
at 20:00 unless specified otherwise. Advance bookings at
Praha 1, Celetná 17; BIO OKO Bar, Praha 7, Fr. Křížka 15 &
Praha 2, Polí pět, Dittrichova 13. Tickets 150/90Kč.
Divadlo Archa J-3, Praha 1, Na Poříčí 26, tel. (+420)
221 71 61 11, fax (+420) 221 716 666, www.archatheatre.cz.
Affectionately known as the “alternative
National Theatre,” Archa has done wonders for Prague's
cultural scene. It's not necessarily an “English” theatre,
however their eclectic line-up often transcends language
barriers. Check their website - you never know what
additional items of interest, including concerts, they'll
have on tap. All shows at 20:00 unless otherwise listed.
QPTAEGKW
Divadlo Hybernia F-3, Praha 1, nám. Republiky 4,
tel. (+420) 221 41 94 12, www.divadlo-broadway.
cz. Dating back to the reign of Charles IV, this building was
recently refurbished and now provides a home to Golem, a
musical of the Jewish legend, which plays daily with English
subtitles. NB Rows 1-6 & 32-33 are not good for viewing
the subtitles. Q Tickets 599 - 799Kč. Box office open
10:00 - 02:00. Performances at 19:00. 15:00 & 19:00 Sat
& 15:00 Sun. PA
prague.inyourpocket.com
CULTURE & EVENTS
National Theatre Robin Divila
Divadlo na Prádle B-4, Praha 1, Besední 3, tel. (+420)
257 32 04 21, www.napradle.cz.. Small theatre space with
rather good cafe that hosts the Prague Fringe and others.
Divadlo Ponec Praha 3, Husitská 24, tel. (+420) 222
72 15 31, www.divadloponec.cz.
Laterna Magika C-4, Praha 1, Národní 4, tel. (+420)
222 22 20 41, www.laterna.cz. Laterna Magika developed
a new way of combining theatre, dance, music and film for
the 1958 Brussels Expo, and was doing multi-media performances
before the word even existed. All productions are
visually orientated with no spoken Czech - ideal for foreigners.
Q Performances start at 20:00. Tickets 735Kč.
National Theatre C-4, Praha 1, Národní třída 2, tel.
(+420) 224 90 16 68, www.narodni-divadlo.cz. Prague's
most beautiful riverside building hosts a wealth of performances,
mostly concerts and opera. Find the booking office
in the modernist glass building next door. Q Booking office
open 10:00 - 18:00; Sat, Sun 10:00 - 12:30, 15:00 - 18:30.
Švandovo divadlo Praha 5, Štefánikova 57, tel. (+420)
234 65 11 11, www.svandovodivadlo.cz. Local and
international plays, both classic and contemporary; always
something interesting going on at Švandovo. They offer English
subtitles on screens above the stage, so your best bet
are seats in the balcony. Visit their website for other dramatic
and occasionally musical interests. All shows at 19:00 unless
otherwise listed.
The Duncan Centre Conservatory Praha 4, Branická
41, tel. (+420) 244 46 13 42, www.duncanct.cz. Contemporary
dance theatre and school.
December 2009 - January 2010
9