The Vinohrady Theatre is most troubled by non-functional technology and a missing storage

Prague - The biggest problems at the Prague Theatre on Vinohrady are non-functional technology under the stage and a lack of storage space. The transformation during the planned major renovation of the theatre will include the rigging loft, lighting equipment, and the establishment of a chamber stage to replace the inadequate rehearsal room. The electrical installations, air conditioning, and facade will also be repaired. CTK was told this by the theatre's director Tomáš Töpfer, chief technician Lukáš Mathé, and the deputy mayor of Prague Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09). Prague will announce a tender for the renovation in April, which is estimated to cost 2.76 billion crowns.

"The biggest problem is that we don't have storage space. We bring a truck here every day. When there's storage in the theatre, it will go straight to the stage, so you only need to handle it once. Additionally, transportation by trucks will be eliminated," said Mathé.

The truck stops behind the building, technicians carry the scenery to the corridor, and then they carry out the items from the performed show through the aisle. This moving can damage the decorations. Some items, like chairs, sofas, or mannequins, are currently placed on stairs and corridors because of the lack of storage.

Behind the theatre, a chamber stage for 150 to 200 spectators will be built in the basement, along with facilities and storage spaces. It will also serve as a rehearsal room. The current one is small. "It has a completely different dimension than the stage. What is rehearsed here must be rechecked, because they find out that the actors were two meters apart here, and suddenly on stage, it’s five meters. After reconstruction, the rehearsal room will be the same size as the stage," said Mathé.

Another major problem is the non-functional technology under the stage dating back to 1927. The stage floor has 25 rectangles that are supposed to move up and down. This changes the terrain during the performance, creating stairs or so-called slopes. "Seven years ago, the stage technology stopped operating. It is indeed a beautiful thing, but it doesn’t work, it’s locked, it shouldn't be used, and it is even life-threatening. Therefore, we cannot perform modern 21st-century theatre here," said Töpfer.

The orchestra pit will also change, becoming more versatile. The lighting and sound booths will be enlarged, and the number of spotlights that will be controlled automatically will increase. Technicians will no longer have to climb ramps and adjust each spotlight individually.

The rigging loft will change as well. Currently, theatre staff pull and lower the scenery manually, needing to balance every decoration with weights before raising it. If, for example, a decoration weighs 300 kilograms, a technician must add weights of the same weight in the rigging loft to raise it. The electrical system can handle it automatically.

"The audience won’t notice the change for the modern machine. However, on the electric lines, you can tap 5.5 meters, press it, and it will move. It's more comfortable. When you want to move five pieces of scenery, you need five people to synchronize," said Mathé. The theatre staff will continue to pull the curtain by hand.

People currently employed at the theatre will not lose their jobs. "The decorations still have to be carried, connected, assembled, and operated in the evening. Physical work will remain; it will just be made more efficient," said Mathé.

The historic building, including its facade, is to be completely renovated. Inside, workers will replace the non-functional air conditioning and outdated ventilation systems, the electrical wiring is in poor condition, elevators and storage will be created. The auditorium will have additional spaces for wheelchair users.

In April, the city hall is expected to announce a tender for a contractor. "The renovation itself could start at the beginning of next year when we might, so to speak, break ground," said Pospíšil. The theatre will still perform part of the 2024 and 2025 season in its building.

Where the theatre will relocate during the renovations is still unclear. "I hope we will be able to find a temporary place within weeks," said Pospíšil. One of the options is a building at the Exhibition Grounds in Bubenč, which the city intends to buy. According to Pospíšil, after the departure of the Theatre on Vinohrady, the space would be allocated to one of the other theatres.

The Art Nouveau building in náměstí Míru was constructed 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.