<Vinohradské divadlo> will move to the <Radiopaláce> during the reconstruction

radiopalac

Prague - The Prague Theatre at Vinohrady will relocate to the nearby Radiopalace on Vinohradská Street during the planned reconstruction of the historic building at Náměstí Míru. A private investor will convert the former Květen cinema into a theater, said Tomáš Töpfer, the director of the Theatre at Vinohrady, in an interview for the portal pribram.cz. The reconstruction of the Art Nouveau building of the Vinohrad Theatre, costing 2.9 billion crowns, is set to start this year, and the construction work is expected to finish in 2027 according to earlier estimates.

During the reconstruction, the theater will be entirely vacated. Töpfer previously mentioned that the company might temporarily move to the Prague Congress Centre and has also discussed options with the National Theatre and the Karlín Music Theatre.

"Since the Theatre at Vinohrady is going into reconstruction now, there has been continuous discussion about where we will perform in the meantime and how to keep the company together and maintain the continuity of our theater. I found the solution myself - a private investor will convert the former Květen cinema on Vinohradská Street into a theater for us at the Radiopalace. The municipality will not spend a single crown on this. We will move just two corners away, and our audience will be able to watch us in a beautiful, albeit currently dilapidated, art deco space that needs renovation," said Töpfer.

The Vinohrad Theatre is a contributory organization of the capital city and was built in 1907. Prague has been planning the reconstruction of the building for several years. The reason is the poor technical condition of the building and its interior. For example, the stage from 1926, designed by František Křižík, has never been reconstructed. Křižík's technical equipment will have to be cut up, as it cannot be disassembled and removed. The National Technical Museum has expressed interest in some of its parts, such as the electric motor and the screw. In addition to the stage, it is necessary to repair the electrical installations and sanitary facilities, as well as decoration including frescoes and the facade.

In addition to extensive reconstruction and modernization, plans include a new stage and backstage area located underground beneath the open space on Římská Street. The city will seek to obtain funding for the repairs from the state or European funds.

The Art Nouveau building at 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. The Vinohrad Theatre is the largest purely drama stage in the country.