The unfinished theater in Pilsen was visited by citizens, there was a great interest

Plzeň - The under-construction building of the new theater in Plzeň opened to the public for the first time today. The interest was great, with hundreds of people attending. Tours will also take place on Sunday, and more are planned for November and March. The new building, costing approximately 860 million crowns, will replace the inadequate building of the Chamber Theater from September 2014. Plzeň is the first city in the Czech Republic to build a new theater after 1989, said Deputy Mayor Petr Rund (ODS) to ČTK. The construction of the new building, which has been ongoing for 17 months, was planned for 12 years.
    "The entire shell of the theater and operational building is complete, and a parking house is under construction. Technologies are being installed for two months and on Monday, the creation of a unique colored facade will begin," noted Rund. The project is 60 percent complete. "The monolithic parts are progressing relatively quickly, but during the winter, we will face meticulous work, such as installing cables, sound, and lighting. In March, the installation of furniture and painting will begin," he added. The completion of the building is planned for April to May, after which a three-month trial operation will commence.
    The theater technology will account for about a quarter of the costs, the building about 35 percent, and the rest will go towards parking, landscaping, and utilities. "The theater technology is among the most modern in Europe. It is unique and tailored to Plzeň. It will cost around 200 million crowns. We designed it to last as long as possible with minimal maintenance," he stated.
    The entrance to the theater will be from Palackého náměstí. It will be connected to the administrative building via three pedestrian bridges, with another three bridges in the back.
    The theater will have two auditoriums. A large one with a sloped seating for 466 viewers and a smaller studio stage for about 150 viewers. People today saw an eleven-meter pit for the future stage. It will house a complex mechanism of several moveable platforms that will bring the rotating stage to various levels. Behind a wall will be the studio stage. Both will share an elevator and technical facilities, allowing for very rapid variability of performances. In a matter of seconds, the audience will see entirely different scenes and plots, Rund noted.
    "The possibilities of the theater are an enormous challenge. It will be one of the best in Europe, both functionally and technologically," said construction coordinator Jaroslav Möller. The new building will concentrate rehearsal rooms, an orchestra, storage, and workshops. The theater, located at the central square with a restaurant, bar, and underground parking for 196 cars, will be active throughout the week.
    The slight delay in construction will not jeopardize the start of the season on September 2, 2014. There were 50 workers on-site today, and the number triples on working days. Changes in European regulations regarding technologies and higher costs for earthworks will increase the construction cost by about 40 million crowns. "We will approve it at the November council meeting," said Rund. He added that the price will still be lower than the city hall estimated before the competition.
    According to the project by a Portuguese studio, the theater could be named after Václav Havel. The operating costs will be three million crowns a year higher than those of the Chamber Theater. The city will borrow from the European Investment Bank for construction, will obtain an EU grant, and will contribute about 250 million crowns from its own resources.