Renovation of the New Stage has begun!

“While fully respecting historic preservation, we will transform the New Stage into a truly modern multifunctional space where, thanks to advanced technologies, the layout of both the auditorium and the stage can be reconfigured. In fact, we will be fulfilling the original dream of Professor Josef Svoboda and architect Karel Prager, who in their time did not have the technical capabilities available to us today,” said Jan Burian, General Director of the National Theater.

“In its day, the New Stage was a symbol of technological and aesthetic progress. Today, we face a similar challenge. If it is to be a 21st-century theater, it must offer state-of-the-art technical facilities, openness to new forms, and comfort for both audiences and artists,” said Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

“The renovation of the New Stage is not just an investment in the building, but above all in the future of Czech culture. In addition to its traditional role, the National Theater must create space for new forms of theater, contemporary works, and artistic excellence. The New Stage is to be a place where new projects are created and where Czech culture naturally meets the world,” added Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř.

“It is an honor for us to participate in the renovation of such a significant building. Our goal is to execute the project with the utmost precision, taking into account its complexity and operational demands. We rely on the experience of our teams and the expertise they have gained during the implementation of similarly demanding construction projects,” said Karel Volf, CEO of Metrostav CZ.

The Architectural Riches of the New Stage

The renovation will not alter the building’s exterior appearance. It will also preserve all the original architecturally valuable interior spaces (green serpentine tiles, the spiral staircase, and the grand light installation by Pavel Hlava and Jaroslav Štursa), which will be sensitively restored. The same goes for the “television” facade made of 4,000 glass “screens” by glass artist Stanislav Libenský.

Reasons for the Renovation

The original design did not anticipate theatrical operations, and the architectural solution was thus a compromise even in its time; despite its undeniable merits, it is technologically inadequate not only for today’s operational requirements but also fails to meet the architects’ original vision. The planned renovation will thus fulfill the dream of architect Karel Prager and set designer Josef Svoboda and, thanks to the latest technologies, create a truly multifunctional space.

What will the renovation bring?

After the renovation, the new stage will offer visitors a variable layout of both the stage and the auditorium in a multifunctional hall with a capacity of up to 500 seats, utilizing contemporary modern theater technologies and variable acoustics; in the adjacent building, the National Theater will gain another chamber theater hall, a rehearsal room, and new spaces with facilities for accompanying educational programs. A new café will also be created on the ground floor, connecting the theater with Václav Havel Square. Both buildings will undergo significant technological modernization, which will result in substantial energy savings and a reduction in operating costs as well as the environmental impact.