Divadlo Viola

Divadlo Viola is a small literary theatre tucked away in the courtyard of an Art Nouveau building on Národní třída, right in the heart of Prague. The house itself was designed in 1906 by architect Osvald Polívka, originally to serve as the seat of an insurance company. Today its intimate 76-seat hall is one of the more distinctive addresses on Prague's cultural map, though it's easy to walk past — the entrance sits inside a courtyard, away from the noise of the main street.

How did Viola come into being?

The story begins on 22 July 1963, with the first evening of the Poetická vinárna Viola (Poetic Wine Bar Viola), staged under the title "Komu patří jazz" ("Who Owns Jazz"), featuring poems by Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, Voznesensky and others recited to a jazz accompaniment. The spiritual father of the project was Jiří Ostermann, and the venue quickly became associated with the culture of American Beat poets, transplanted into the specific atmosphere of 1960s Czechoslovakia.

Who was Vladimír Justl, and how did he reshape the stage?

In 1965 Vladimír Justl took over as director, a post he held until 1992 — nearly three decades. Under his leadership the dramaturgy shifted toward literary classics, and the loose poetry evenings gradually gave way to more elaborate staged forms. This evolution eventually led to the name change from Poetická vinárna Viola to Divadlo Viola — a theatre in the full sense of the word, while still faithful to its literary roots.

What can audiences see at Divadlo Viola today?

The theatre's programme spans a wide range of forms — from staged readings to chamber dramas to cabaret. What ties them together is literature as the starting point for every production. It's a demanding repertoire, aimed at audiences looking for something beyond mainstream entertainment.

Why does Viola matter to Prague's cultural life?

In the 1960s, Viola functioned as an island of creative freedom — a meeting place for non-conformist artistic personalities at a time when independent expression had very limited room in Czechoslovakia. That role, as an oasis of culture and creative freedom, has remained part of the theatre's identity ever since, even as its programming has evolved over the decades.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Divadlo Viola located? In the courtyard of a building on Národní třída in central Prague, inside an Art Nouveau house from 1906 designed by Osvald Polívka.

How many people does the theatre hall seat? The intimate hall has 76 seats.

How long has the venue been in operation? The first performance took place on 22 July 1963, originally under the name Poetická vinárna Viola.

What kind of repertoire dominates at Viola? Literature-inspired forms — staged readings, chamber dramas and cabaret.