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Městská divadla pražská

History of the Municipal Theatres of Prague

New concept for the Municipal Theatres of Prague stems from its historical origins

Městská divadla pražská (the Municipal Theatres of Prague) were established in 1950 by joining several Prague theatres. The composition of the new theatre, which was characterized by one single ensemble performing on several stages, changed several times from the time of its founding. In the period of legendary director Ota Ornest, under whose leadership the Municipal Theatres of Prague reached the greatest success, the ensemble was performing on three stages - ABC Theatre, Komedie, and Komorní divadlo. During this period the theatre performed a classic repertoire approached with a modern western dramaturgy. Under the direction of Ota Ornest and his colleagues Miroslav Macháček, Václav Hudeček, and Alfred Radok, the theatre formed a unique ensemble full of outstanding actors who shaped the nature of Czech acting scene for several decades to come. During the time of communist repression in the 1970's - the so-called normalization period, Ota Ornest was replaced by Lubomír Poživil, who tried to maintain the good tradition of the Municipal Theatres of Prague on the stages at Rokoko Theatre, Komedie Theatre, and ABC Theatre. Despite the harsh times, during which the repertoire had to be more regime compliant, the Municipal Theatres of Prague kept the mark of high quality and excellent actor performance. At that time the theatre was led by directors František Miška, Ladislav Vymětal, and lastly by Karel Kříž, who, in particular, started another great era of the Municipal Theatres of Prague. In 1989, the Municipal Theatres of Prague was divided into three independent theatres, each with its own ensemble and own directors. With the arrival of Ondřej Zajíc in 2005 as new theatre director, the Rokoko Theatre and ABC Theatre reunited again, as it had been in the times of their greatest glory, into one ensemble performing at two venues.
 

New concept of the Municipal Theatres of Prague - Mission Statement

One ensemble performing at two stages - Rokoko Theatre and ABC Theatre

• the Municipal Theatres of Prague is an open and communicative European cultural institution presenting theatre art
• the Municipal Theatres of Prague stems from moral and esthetic values of European, Czech and Prague culture
• the Municipal Theatres of Prague identifies itself with its place of origin. It reflects history and the present of the Czech metropolis Prague as the place where a number of cultures meet.
• the Municipal Theatres of Prague strives to address a wide audience - from students to seniors
• the Municipal Theatres of Prague acts at two venues in the center of Prague - ABC and Rokoko
• the Municipal Theatres of Prague endorses the tradition of Městská divadla pražská, as a theatre of classical drama, which uses acting performance as the main instrument of expression
• the Municipal Theatres of Prague stresses diversity and the richness of dramatic genres
• the Municipal Theatres of Prague basis its success on outstanding acting personalities and on team acting cooperation