Činoherní studio Ústí nad Labem

Činoherní studio is one of the best-known theatre stages in northern Bohemia, based in Ústí nad Labem for decades and valued for its independent, deliberately apolitical creative spirit.

Where did the theatre come from?

Although the ensemble was officially established in 1972, its roots reach back to 1958, when Pavel Fiala and Miloš Dvořák brought together a group of young art enthusiasts in Broumov, a town in eastern Bohemia. The group performed under the name Kladivadlo, a reference to a well-known call to come to the theatre "with iron hammers." In 1963 the company relocated to Kadaň, and two years later, in 1965, it moved to Ústí nad Labem, where regional authorities incorporated it into the Zdeněk Nejedlý State Theatre.

How did the venue change over the years?

From 1972 the ensemble performed at the Theatre of Music located within the grounds of the Ústí chemical works, a building that doubled as a film club. Six years later, from 1978, performances moved to the large stage of the Ústí theatre. A turning point came in 1981, when the company moved into a former cinema on Varšavská Street in the Střekov district. It remained there — with a two-year break caused by flooding — until March 2014, when a dispute with the city forced it to leave the building.

What happened after leaving Varšavská Street?

Losing its long-standing home did not stop the ensemble's work: during the transition it performed at the Hraničář cinema. Since January 2015, Činoherní studio has operated on two stages at once, having returned to Varšavská Street while continuing performances at Hraničář in parallel. This dual-venue arrangement allowed the theatre to keep its programme running despite years of instability over premises.

Why does this matter for visitors to Ústí nad Labem?

For decades, Činoherní studio has served as an important cultural hub and meeting point for the region, particularly for younger audiences. The theatre has consistently emphasised creative freedom and avoided political alignment in its artistic programme — an attitude that has accompanied the ensemble since its provincial beginnings in Broumov through to its current work in Ústí nad Labem.

Frequently asked questions

When was the theatre founded? Officially in 1972, though its history dates back to 1958 and the initiative of Pavel Fiala and Miloš Dvořák in Broumov.

Where is it located today? Its main stage is on Varšavská Street in the Střekov district, and since 2015 the ensemble has also performed at the Hraničář cinema.

What makes this theatre distinctive? Its independent, apolitical artistic character and its role as a local cultural and meeting hub, especially for younger audiences.

Has the venue always been in the same place? No — the ensemble was based successively in Broumov, Kadaň, and from 1965 in Ústí nad Labem, changing stages several times: the music theatre at the chemical works, the large stage of the Ústí theatre, and, from 1981, the former cinema on Varšavská Street.