The project for the renovation of the Vinohrady Theatre should be completed by the end of the year

Prague – The reconstruction project of the Vinohrady Theatre in Prague should be completed by the end of this year. At the beginning of next year, a competition for the contractor will be announced. This was communicated by the director of the municipal department of culture, Jan Sulženko, in response to inquiries from ČTK and Czech Radio. A new stage for approximately 300 spectators will also be created in the theater. The theater was opened in November 1907 and has never been completely renovated.

"By the end of the year, the project will be completed and processed, and at that moment, the competition for the contractor will begin. Time-wise, we do not know how long the selection process itself will take. However, the competition will commence at the beginning of 2023, and we anticipate that it could be awarded after six months," said Sulženko. The exact cost will depend on the design of the project and the outcomes of the tendering processes. According to previous statements by municipal representatives, costs could rise up to two billion crowns.

In addition to the renovation of the historic building, a new stage and facilities will be created in the basement under the open space behind the theater building on Římská Street. Access to the new stage should be through the historic theater building.

The reasons for the repairs and expansion of the theater space are the poor technical condition of the building. The stage from 1926, designed by František Křižík, has never undergone renovation. The reconstruction of the stage alone is expected to take two years. In addition to the stage, it is necessary to repair the electrical installation, social facilities, as well as the decoration including frescoes and the facade. According to earlier statements from the municipality, the activities of the theater ensemble are expected to be maintained 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 theater was opened on November 24, 1907, and the first performance was Jaroslav Vrchlický's play Godiva.