Renovation of the New Stage is coming soon

In mid-January, the National Theatre announced a tender for the contractor for the general reconstruction of the New Stage, bringing this demanding and costly project within reach. The construction, which should begin at the start of the 2025/2026 season, is expected to cost a maximum of CZK 2.3 billion, including VAT, and take two years.

The architectural richness of the New Stage

The renovation will not change the exterior appearance of the building. It will also preserve all the original architecturally valuable interior spaces (green serpentine cladding, spiral staircase and generous lighting by Pavel Hlava and Jaroslav Štursa), which will be sensitively renovated. The same applies to the ‘television’ shell made of 4,000 glass ‘screens’ by glass artist Stanislav Libenský.

Reasons for the reconstruction

It is reasonable to ask why it is necessary to completely rebuild the youngest building of the National Theatre. The answer is simple: the original design did not envisage theatre performances, and even at the time, the architectural solution was a compromise which, despite its undeniable positives, is now technologically inadequate not only for today's requirements but also for the original vision of the architects. The planned reconstruction will thus fulfil the dream of architect Karel Prager and scenographer Josef Svoboda and, thanks to the latest technologies, will create a truly multifunctional space with many possibilities.

What will the reconstruction bring?

After reconstruction, the new stage will offer visitors a variable stage and auditorium layout in a multifunctional hall with a capacity of up to 500 seats, using contemporary modern theatre technologies and variable acoustics. In the adjacent building, the National Theatre will gain another chamber theatre hall, a rehearsal room and new spaces with facilities for accompanying educational programmes. A new café will also be built on the ground floor, connecting the theatre with Václav Havel Square. Both buildings will undergo significant technological modernisation, which will bring considerable energy savings and reduce operating costs and environmental impact.