New puppet opera brings Prague’s Astronomical Clock legends to life

Prague’s Astronomical Clock already puts on a small performance every hour. This November, its legends will get a longer theatrical outing—with a mischievous Czech puppet joining the clockmaker’s workshop.

The Story of the Astronomical Clock, a new puppet opera directed by Minor Theatre head Janek Jirků, premieres Nov. 6 at the historic Říše loutek theater beneath Prague’s Central Library. Combining mechanical scenery, original music and several forms of puppetry, the 50-minute production is designed for Czech families and international audiences alike.

There is also a connection between the venue and its subject that goes beyond their Old Town addresses. Sculptor Vojtěch Sucharda, who founded Říše loutek, also carved the apostles that appear in the real Astronomical Clock today.

The production brings together two familiar figures from Czech storytelling: Master Hanuš, the clockmaker associated with the Astronomical Clock’s best-known legend, and Kašpárek, the comic puppet character whose irreverent humor has entertained generations.

Kašpárek joins Hanuš in his workshop, providing a lighter counterpoint to a suspenseful story about the clock, its makers and the characters surrounding it.

The creative team includes composer Jiří Hradil, known for his work with Tata Bojs, Umakart and Kafka Band, as well as theater productions including Zá-to-pek! and Černý partyzán. Mikoláš Zika and Jan Brejcha of Tabula Rasa studio created the stage design and visual concept.

Rather than relying on dialogue, the show is presented through images, music and theatrical movement. Organizers describe it as accessible without a language barrier, making it an option for families whose members speak different languages.

The puppetry itself promises considerable variety: marionettes, glove puppets and shadow figures, alongside transparent puppets and stage tricks involving supposedly invisible ones.

Mechanical theater provides a fitting framework for a story about a machine whose moving figures still draw crowds. Its historical subject does, however, require separating fact from folklore.

The famous tale says Prague’s councilors had Hanuš blinded so he could never build a rival clock. It is a legend, rather than an established account of the clock’s creation. The oldest parts date to 1410 and are credited to clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and astronomer Jan Šindel; Hanuš is associated with later improvements.

The production draws on that world of Old Prague legends, rather than presenting itself as a documentary reconstruction.

The setting adds another layer to the story. Říše loutek (“Kingdom of Puppets”) was founded in 1920 and moved into the newly built Central Library theater in 1928.

A year later, the venue hosted the founding of UNIMA, the international puppetry organization, giving the small Old Town stage a place in the art form’s international history.

Sucharda’s connection makes it particularly appropriate for this production. His wooden apostles were installed in the Astronomical Clock in 1948, following the destruction of their predecessors during World War II. The same artist’s work links the hourly spectacle above Old Town Square with the puppet tradition being celebrated nearby.

The premiere takes place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 as part of Přelet nad loutkářským hnízdem, a festival devoted to puppet theater.

Fifteen performances are scheduled through the end of December, all at 7 p.m. November dates after the premiere are Nov. 12–13, 19–20 and 26–27. December performances follow on Dec. 3–4, 10, 17–18 and 29–31.

The recommended age is 6 and older. The theater has its own entrance at Žatecká 1, separate from the Central Library’s main entrance on Mariánské náměstí.

More information about the show is available through the Puppet Stories website, with tickets offered through visitor centers and several booking networks, including GoOut.