Theatres
Both Pilsen theatres, The J. K. Tyl Theatre and The Alfa Theatre are honourable holders of the city‘s outstanding theatre tradition and winners of prestigious art awards. Apart from touring successfully the world stages they also hold important theatre festivals at home. Each September, the J. K Tyl Theatre hosts the International Theatre Festival Divadlo while The Alfa Theatre organizes the Skupova Plzeň Festival, a biennial competition of puppet theatres, taking place in the month of June in even years.
The J. K. Tyl Theatre and Chamber Theatre
The productions of J. K Tyl Theatre continue in Pilsen’s long theatre tradition dating back to the first theatre performances in 1759. In 1902, the new municipal theatre was built according to the project of Antonín Balšánek. The Neo Renaissance building with richly decorated exterior and interior became an architectural gem of the city. The programme of the theatre’s four ensembles includes opera, drama, ballet, operetta and musical. The Tyl Theatre performs on two permanent stages – the Great Theatre and the Chamber Theatre, the latter specializing mostly in drama. Since 1993, both stages host famous international ensembles during the International Theatre Festival Divadlo.
The Alfa Theatre
Long and famous tradition of puppetry is as much part of Pilsen as the popular golden tinted beverage. Looking back into the past, three names of famous puppeteers associated with the metropolis of West Bohemia must be mentioned: Karel Novák, Josef Skupa and Jiří Trnka. The Alfa Theatre originates in and carries on this tradition of puppetry, namely the Pilsen Puppet Theatre of Professor Josef Skupa, the first professional puppet theatre in the former Czech Republic, and also the Children’s Theatre which has been in existence since 1966 in the historical Alfa building on Americka Street. Nowadays, the Alfa Theatre offers performances for all age groups. Its programme ranges from classical fairy tales to adaptations of Jacques Prévert’s poetry. The ensemble consisting of 15 actors prefers a comedic approach to theatre which livens up both domestic and foreign stages in an unusual way.
The Dialog Theatre
The Pilsen non-professional scene of the Dialog Theatre hosts 15 theatre ensembles specializing mostly in drama. Dozens of productions have been staged here by various ensembles over the many years of the theatre’s existence. Its high reputation within a European context has been confirmed by the production of “One Flew”, which was selected to represent the Czech Republic on the Paderborn European Festival in Germany.
The Lamplight Theatre
The Lamplight Theatre first came into existence in 1990. Originally, it was a music club run under the auspices of the Municipal Cultural Centre which tried to create space for non-commercial cultural events and initiatives. Alternative music, film, theatre and especially young and beginning music bands and minority music genres, they all found a refuge here. In a very short time, the club has become renowned in the whole of the Czech Republic.
Miroslav Horníček Theatre
Miroslav Horníček Theatre, located in the House of Culture Inwest on Americka Street, is a popular venue hosting various theatre productions. Miroslav Horníček, a famous Czech actor, was a Pilsen native and made his first steps on stage in a local amateur theatre company.
The Špalíček (Wood Log) Theatre
The hand puppet and marionette theatre offers productions for children from the age of four. The theatre was founded in 1990 and it has put up numerous new adaptations of classic plays since then, among them The Devil and Kate, The Beauty and the Beast, The Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, The Travelling Toys, The Devil’s Bride, The Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, the Devil and the Punch etc., but also many new productions e.g. Cinderella, The Dandelion Ghost and Princess Princka Vincka.