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Summary for: Two iconic Prague puppet theaters reopen after sweeping renovationsWith roots dating back to the late 17th century, puppetry holds a special place at the heart of Czech national identity. The only live performance art to perform in Czech language, rather than German, under Austrian rule, puppeteers and puppet communities experienced a huge boom after the foundation of Czechoslovakia.
Now, two of these historic puppetry theaters have recently reopened in Prague, starting a new chapter in their century-long history.
Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre
Closed for reconstruction and renovation for nearly a year, the iconic theater of the famous father-son duo reopened to the public last month on Dejvická street in Prague 6.
“I find it incredible that after almost a year we are returning to our home theater, which has undergone such a significant transformation,” rejoiced David Janošek, artistic director of the theater. “May our audience take away only pleasant experiences full of joy and satisfaction from the beautifully renovated theater.”
The theater, which this year marks the 100th anniversary since the creation of Hurvínek, now has a brand-new rehearsal room moonlighting as a new studio stage for smaller performances, a renovated foyer, a modernized box office area and all 281 seats have been replaced for greater comfort and enjoyment.
Founded in Pilsen in 1930 by Josef Skupa, the Spejbl and Hurvínek Theater was the first professional theater dedicated to puppetry in the Czech Republic and attracted from the very start spectators of all generations. The venue moved to Prague, in Vinohrady, in 1945, and then to its current location in Dejvice in the mid-1990s.
The iconic father-son duo made up of Spejbl (created in 1920) and Hurvínek (1926) has been complimented over the years with other characters, including Hurvínek’s best friend Mánička (1930), their dog Žeryk (1930) and Mánička’s grandmother Kateřina Hovorková (1971) – a foursome that has delighted generations of puppetry enthusiasts across the world.
Visit their website for more information about upcoming shows. Most performances are in Czech without English surtitles, but English-friendly shows can also be booked privately.
more prague puppet theaters
Divadlo Minor – One of Prague's premier puppet theaters for children and families
Buchty a Loutky – An alternative puppet theater troupe performing for both children and adults, currently based at Švandovo Theatre Studio in Smíchov
LokVar at Vyšehrad – Outdoor puppet fairy tales at the Vyšehrad burgrave's residence.
ARENA Festival Forman Brothers – From June 4–25, 2026 on Štvanice Island, Prague's annual festival of theater, circus, music, and art by one of Czech puppetry's most inventive companies, on the theater ship Tajemství.
Puppets in Prague – Offers immersive, hands-on workshops in traditional Czech puppetry, where participants can design, carve, and perform with their own marionettes under the guidance of expert artists.
Říše loutek Theater
Another iconic Prague puppetry venue has just come back to life after an extensive six-month renovation costing about CZK 20 million.
Located in the basement of the Municipal Library in Prague and accessible from the Žatecká street, the Říše loutek Theater (Puppet Kingdom Theater) is another historic puppetry venue with a history of nearly 100 years.
Prague city councilor Zdeněk Kovářík“Puppet theater reminds me of my early childhood, and I believe that investing in the [theater] will bring this wonderful childhood experience to many more generations of children."
Closed in 2022 due to its poor technical conditions and infrastructure, the theater’s staff and representatives presented the renovated and modernized premises to journalists on Tuesday, carried out to preserve the building’s historical and architectural integrity.
More an amateur association gathering dozens of puppet masters than a truly professional company, the Říše loutek Theater is nevertheless a staple of Prague’s puppetry scene, and now plans to host about a hundred performances a year.
