Divadlo Oskara Nedbala Tábor

Divadlo Oskara Nedbala (Oskar Nedbal Theatre) is a working theatre in the historic centre of Tábor, and one of the more unusual pieces of theatre architecture in South Bohemia. Theatrical life in the town goes back to the Baroque era, when performances took place in various locations around Tábor, and early attempts to form a permanent amateur ensemble date to the 18th century. The town's first purpose-built theatre, converted from an old grain granary, opened on 17 October 1840.

How did the current building come about?

The original 19th-century theatre eventually proved too small and technically outdated despite repeated extensions. In 1886 it was torn down to make way for a new building on the same site. The design came from Prague architect František Buldra, while construction was carried out by the local firm of František Kliera. The new theatre deliberately echoed the National Theatre in Prague — itself a symbol of the Czech national revival — a debt visible in its neo-Renaissance façade and interior decoration.

What makes this theatre unusual in a Central European context?

The Tábor theatre is actually made up of two connected buildings. The original, purely theatrical structure is pseudo-Renaissance in style and dates from 1887; it seats an audience of 350. The adjoining building, originally Empire-style, was adapted for theatre use in 1965, adding a second auditorium seating 650. The result is a rare configuration in this part of Europe: a single stage serving two auditoriums arranged perpendicular to each other, which lets the venue be used flexibly depending on the type of production.

Where does the theatre's name come from?

The building did not always carry the name of Oskar Nedbal. It was originally named after the writer Ivan Olbracht, and has only borne Nedbal's name since 1990 — honouring the Czech composer, conductor and violist active around the turn of the 20th century.

What else is worth knowing when visiting Tábor?

The theatre stands in Tábor's historic core, a town best known for its medieval street layout and Hussite history. Beyond its active repertoire, the building itself is a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in 19th-century theatre architecture and in the cultural life that developed outside Prague during the Czech national revival.

Frequently asked questions

How many people can the theatre seat? Combined, the two auditoriums hold 1,000 spectators — 350 in the older 1887 hall and 650 in the hall added in 1965.

Who was Oskar Nedbal, the theatre's namesake? A Czech composer, conductor and violist active around the turn of the 20th century, after whom the theatre was renamed in 1990.

Is the theatre building original from the 19th century? Only partly — the older, pseudo-Renaissance section dates from 1887, while the second auditorium was created by adapting the neighbouring Empire-style building in 1965.

What sets this theatre apart from others in the region? Its unique layout of two perpendicular auditoriums served by a single stage, a configuration rarely found elsewhere in Central Europe.