The new rotating auditorium could be in the former Český Krumlov nursery

Cesky Krumlov - The new rotating auditorium in Cesky Krumlov could be located in the former gardening area behind the castle garden. This is the most realistic option. A new revolving stage and its facilities would be created. CTK was told today by the director of the South Bohemian Theatre, Lukáš Průdek, and the deputy mayor of Krumlov, Zbyněk Toman (ODS). Until the new auditorium is completed, performances should continue to be held in the current one in the castle garden. Heritage preservationists have long criticized that the revolving stage is located in the garden. According to the National Investment Plan for the years 2020 to 2050 of the former government, the estimated cost of building the new stage was approximately 1.5 billion CZK.

"We are discussing a strategic solution to end the dispute between the rotating auditorium and (the summer house) Bellarie. It is based on what I have considered to be the optimal solution for several years, which is to expand the garden with a theater section that includes a rotating auditorium and adequate facilities for both the audience and the theater. The revolving stage has been in the garden since 1958, and the types of productions performed before the rotating auditorium have evolved. We are trying to stage things that reflect current theatrical aesthetics. However, the space itself and what is offered to the audience in terms of parking, restrooms, and dining options has not changed in the last 60 years. I consider this tragic, and this (relocation to the former gardening area) is a path that allows us to increase quality for the audience, unlike if the (auditorium) remained in its current location," Průdek told CTK. The summer house Bellarie is being repaired by heritage preservationists. The South Bohemian Theatre, which performs before the revolving stage, has used it as a facility.

This week, members of a working group met at the Ministry of Culture (MK) to discuss how to preserve the rotating auditorium in Krumlov. It is most likely that the new stage will be in the former gardening area. "We are approaching a permanent solution that everyone is calling for," said Deputy Mayor Dalibor Uhlíř (ČK with heart and reason) on the city's Facebook profile. Toman confirmed this to CTK. "The most realistic option appears to be what we have in the spatial plan as a reserve, which is the former gardening building behind the castle garden. It would involve expanding the castle garden. This option is on the table. There are more complicated property relations, with multiple owners, but this is a path that everyone will strive for," Toman told CTK.

České Budějovice, to which the revolving stage belongs, has a contract with heritage preservationists for the rental of the castle garden until the end of this year. In the working group under MK, discussions are ongoing about the contract for 2024 and how the current stage will operate at the renovated Bellarie. Until a new venue is created, the existing one will remain in operation. "No one will lose the rotating auditorium," Toman said.

Last year, the theater attracted 52,469 spectators to the Krumlov revolving stage with revenues of 43.9 million CZK. This year, from June 2 to September 10, six titles will be presented there. The premiere will be a ballet inspired by painter Egon Schiele. The repertoire will also include the comedy Women of Henry VIII starring Petr Rychlý in the main dual role, as well as the horror Dracula, the story The Man of the Double Star, the oratorio Messiah, and the title The Entire Czech History.

The revolving stage in Cesky Krumlov accounts for four-fifths of all theater revenues. The South Bohemian Theatre includes drama, opera, ballet, and the Small Theater ensemble. This year it has a operating subsidy from the city of České Budějovice of nearly 154 million CZK.

The theater has been performing in the Krumlov castle garden since 1958. The original auditorium was designed by the theater architect and scenographer Joan Brehms (1907 to 1995). The current revolving stage has been in operation since 1994, created by the Škoda Plzeň company. It accommodates 644 spectators, weighs 650 tons, and is powered by four electric motors. Since 1958, the stage has been visited by approximately 2.5 million spectators.