Brno's Mahen Theater celebrates the 125th anniversary of its completion

Brno - The Mahen Theatre in Brno, the first electrically illuminated stage in Europe, which was even visited by the inventor of the light bulb Thomas Alva Edison, is celebrating its 125th anniversary of completion these days. The last stone of the valuable monument was laid by masons on October 31, 1882, and on November 14, the audience applauded after the first performance. The National Theatre in Brno, whose drama department currently utilizes the historic stage, will commemorate the anniversary with an open day and a composed program, said Šárka Motalová from the theatre to ČTK today.
    The building of the New German Theatre, as the stage was called after its opening, was envied by Prague and Vienna. "It is not only among the foremost architectural monuments in Brno, but its artistic, technical, and cultural significance additionally integrates it into the European context," says art historian Jan Sedlák.
    In the early 1880s, several theatres in the Austrian Empire suffered from fires. Among others, the National Theatre in Prague burned down. Authorities therefore tightened fire safety regulations. Thus, the builders in Brno decided to equip the new building with electricity. The electrification was carried out by the Paris branch of Edison’s company, and a steam power plant was built nearby for its supply. One of the original light bulbs can still be seen in a display case at the main staircase of the Mahen Theatre.
    People will be able to view the backstage and technical equipment of the stage next Sunday during the open day. "However, the number of places is very limited," Motalová pointed out. Interested parties who want to secure a tour can pick up tickets for free starting Wednesday from the theatre's box office. Guides will be actors from the National Theatre. They will also view a newly opened exhibition about the history of the building. On November 14, the head of the drama department, Zdeněk Plachý, is preparing a composed evening.
    The authors of the monument project are Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer, who specialized in theatre buildings. They designed 48 such buildings from Hamburg to Odessa in the territory of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and surrounding countries. "And it must be said that the Brno one is considered by experts to be one of the most beautiful," Motalová noted.
    Edison visited the Mahen Theatre only in 1911, when he traveled to the South Moravian metropolis for that purpose. The local Grand Hotel still boasts a record of his stay. Soon, a monument commemorating his discoveries and visit will be placed at Malinovského náměstí, not far from the theatre. Of the 32 proposals, the council selected the light bulbs made of metal mesh by Brno artist Tomáš Medek.