The magistrate will take responsibility for the renovation of the Theatre at Vinohrady

Prague - The Prague City Hall will take over responsibility for the reconstruction of the Vinohrady Theatre and will finance its repairs. In the first phase, it will invest 75 million crowns. Builders will reconstruct the technical parts and the building of the theatre and will construct a rehearsal hall. There are also plans for a new underground small stage for 150 to 200 spectators. This follows from the material approved by the Prague councilors today. The Vinohrady Theatre was built in 1907 and has yet to be reconstructed. According to last year's estimate, its repairs are expected to cost 2.7 billion crowns. The theatre is a subsidized organization of the capital city.

"We are starting an unprecedented investment action, the overall reconstruction of the Vinohrady Theatre. This theatre has not been reconstructed in its more than 100 years of existence, and therefore it was necessary to proceed with a complete repair of both the technical facilities, which date back to the time of the famous František Křižík, and the building itself, which is a historical monument," said Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09), the deputy mayor, to ČTK. According to the deputy, the reconstructed theatre should open in 2027.

The city will also seek to obtain funds from the state for the repairs, but according to Pospíšil, it must also be prepared to pay for it entirely on its own. "We'll see, we're negotiating. Given that the state has supported some significant cultural events in larger cities, there could be some analogy here, but we see how difficult it is. In any case, state funding cannot be a condition for reconstruction," he said.

Preparation for the reconstruction began about six years ago. In the meantime, the theatre has signed contracts with designers, for example. With today's decision by the council, the city will enter into these contracts and take over all responsibility for the reconstruction. "I believe it is the right decision; for a project estimated at up to 2.7 billion, such a significant investment should be managed by the City Hall," said Pospíšil.

In addition to the reconstruction of the historic building, a new stage and facilities will be created underground behind the theatre building on Římská Street. Access to the new stage should be through the historic building of the theatre.

The reason for the repairs and expansion of the theatre spaces is the poor technical condition of the building. The stage from 1926, designed by František Křižík, has never been reconstructed. Its repair is expected to last two years. In addition to the stage, it is necessary to repair the electrical installations, sanitary facilities, and also the decor, including frescoes and the facade. According to earlier statements from the city hall, the theatre choir should maintain its activities during the reconstruction.

The Art Nouveau building in Náměstí Míru was built between 1905 and 1907 according to the design of architect Alois Čenský. The theatre was opened on November 24, 1907, and the first performance was Jaroslav Vrchlický's play Godiva.