Baxa and the director of the National Theatre will present the renovation project of the New Stage

Prague – Minister of Culture Martin Baxa and the Director of the National Theatre (ND) Jan Burian will present today the project for the reconstruction of the New Stage of the ND and the Operation Building B. The Minister of Culture will also inform about the further development of the main stage. In February of this year, Burian stated that the work should begin in mid-2025 and the building could open in 2028. The costs were estimated then at two billion crowns.

The architectural plan for the reconstruction of the New Stage does not change the exterior appearance of the building, preserves all original architecturally valuable interior spaces, newly opens part of the buildings to the public, and allows for greater use of the ND piazzetta, theatre representatives previously stated.

The biggest change awaits the main hall of the New Stage, which has outdated theatre technology and poor acoustics. A theatre stage with a variable arrangement of the hall space for various performances with a capacity of up to 500 seats is to be created, using contemporary modern theatre technologies and variable acoustics.

In February, Burian stated that the reconstruction and financing must be definitively approved by the government, but that an agreement on the reconstruction between the theatre and government representatives exists. "We have a finished project, we have a building permit. But we also have a completely reconstructed basement, where there is a parking lot," said Burian.

The building from the late 1970s and early 1980s is a significant representative of Czechoslovak brutalist architecture. In 2021, it became a cultural monument. The proposal to declare the theatre building a monument had been at the ministry for several years. ND took into account during the preparation of the reconstruction that the building could be declared a monument. The entire complex is located in a City Heritage Reserve, and is thus protected as a monument.

At the New Stage, the main performance is by Laterna magika, which is preparing two new premieres with foreign directors for the next season, so it can travel more during the closure of the New Stage around the world. Some performances are also expected to take place at the National Theatre or the Estates Theatre.