Autumn Theater in English

I chatted with Lindsay Taylor, Director of Theatre at the Prague Film & Theater Center (PFTC), a local non-profit organisation aimed at connecting theatre and film enthusiasts in the city. “There are more opportunities for English-language theatre in Prague than ever before, for both international audience members and Czechs alike,” she said. “There are many companies and organisations currently presenting English-friendly theatre in the city, including the repertory company Blood, Love, and Rhetoric, the long standing Prague Playhouse and Bear Educational Theatre, the wildly out-of-the box Akanda, the new and modern A Broad’s Way Productions, the young and ambitious Prague Youth Theatre, and even the Drama Queens, formed by students of Charles University, all of whom are stamping their own mark on this vibrant community.

“What’s really exciting is that as English-language theatre here in Prague moves forward, we are beginning to witness more collaborations between the well-established Czech theatres and these English-language theatre companies, such as the Prague Shakespeare Festival’s new association with Narodni Divadlo.” More details on that below. Lindsay suggests coming along to PFTC’s annual networking evening, on Monday October 22 at the Globe Cafe and Bookstore, to find out more about what the city’s creative types have to offer for 2012/13. “We’ll have speakers from many of the main English-language theatre companies, as well as an opportunity to mingle amongst the movers and shakers of the Prague film and theatre scene.” More information can be found here.

As Lindsay mentioned, the Prague Shakespeare Festival (PSF) is in the midst of an exciting and ground-breaking season in association with Národní Divadlo. Together they are presenting a unique two months of English-language Shakespeare at Divadlo Kolowrat from now through November 3. Led by PSF Artistic Director Guy Roberts and joined by one of the world’s foremost authorities on William Shakespeare—Tina Packer (Founding Artistic Director Shakespeare & Company, former Associate Artist Royal Shakespeare Company)—PSF will present three professional productions: the European premiere of ‘Women of Will, the Complete Journey,’ the world premiere of a new production of ‘Hamlet’ directed by Tina Packer, and the return of PSF’s international success, ‘As You Like It’.

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Divadlo Archa also has a wide range of English language and non-verbal theatre, dance and music coming up over the next few months. A few dance highlights during October include 420People with ‘Wind-up’ on October 3 and 4, elledanse with ‘Water on Water’ on October 10 and VerTeDance with ‘Simulante Bande’ on October 19 and 20. In November you can catch the Stimul Festival (alternative music) on the 7th, legendary blues musician John Mayall on the 13th, and Campo – Football Opera, a Belgian avant-garde theatre production in English, on the 15th (part of the Akcent Festival of international theatre which runs from November 15-18). More information about all of their forthcoming events and ticket details can be found on the website at http://www.archatheatre.cz/en/

The Prague Playhouse has had a busy summer, with their successful production of the musical Sweeney Todd playing to sell out audiences during June and July. Their new season is underway and as well as their regular acting classes, they’re currently auditioning for a revised and revamped production of the Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ with performances between December 5 – 15. They are also planning a comedy show in March and The Glass Menagerie in early May. “We’re really excited about our upcoming season. On the back of our recent successful run of Sweeney Todd, we’re trying to keep the bar high on what English Language Theater in Prague can be,” Playhouse Founder Brian Caspe said. “It’s always a challenge to find audience, but we’re trying to be innovative with our approach. Offering compelling pieces is certainly one of the key parts of our strategy. We’re also trying to bring in professionals from outside the Czech Republic to help us keep our standards high.” For more information about forthcoming performances and auditions, please see www.pragueplayhouse.com

Following on from a very successful inaugural year in 2011/12, Prague Youth Theatre (PYT) has just launched into its new season with a full programme of classes, workshops and performances. “PYT’s second year promises to be even bigger and better than its first” says Artistic Director Adam Stewart. “We began in September 2011 and embarked on a busy year that included six public performances, appearances at the Prague Fringe Festival, theatre competitions, professional workshops and much more.”

PYT’s second year began a few weeks ago and rehearsals are already well underway for their premiere performances in December. Their winter season comprises one act plays – PYT Juniors will present ‘Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations’ by Alan Ayckbourn at Divadlo Kampa on December 10 and 11, while PYT Seniors will perform the dark comedy, ‘DNA’ by Dennis Kelly also at Divadlo Kampa on December 13 and 15. The two PYT Tots groups will be adapting well known children’s stories in preparation for their performances in December.

If open-mic or stand up is your preferred form of entertainment, then check out the Alchemy Reading and Performance events which take place on the first Monday of every month at Napa Bar in Mala Strana. Their mission is to provide a forum that supports creative literary, art, and performance work produced here in the Czech Republic, as well as introducing new and exciting voices from abroad to the community. If you are interested in stepping up to the mic yourself, then simply sign up on the night or email the organisers at: alchemyprague@gmail.com

The next installment of National Theatre Live takes place on October 11 at Kino Aero. This exciting initiative, which broadcasts the best of British theatre live to cinemas around the world, continues with ‘The Last of the Haussmans’, a new play by Stephen Beresford starring one of Britain’s most well-loved actresses, Julie Walters. This is a fantastic opportunity to watch professional, West-End theatre from the comfort of your local cinema. Full details can be found on the Kino Aero website.

Local Czech theatre and dance group Spitfire Company have had a very busy summer performing their award-winning show ‘The Voice of Anne Frank’ at both the Prague and Amsterdam Fringe festivals to much acclaim. You can catch their physical theatre performances ‘13th month / Requiem for Bruno Schulz‘ at Divadlo Ponec on 4th October, and ‘The Untouchables‘ at Divadlo NOD on 10th October. More information about this exciting young theatre company can be found on their website: http://www.bezhlavi.cz/

Stomp, world famous percussion-based show comes to the Congress Centre from November 20-25. More details on the website http://www.stomponline.com/show.php