Říše loutek

Říše loutek (Kingdom of Puppets) is an amateur puppet theatre in Prague that has been operating continuously since 1920, making it one of the oldest and most recognized puppet stages in the Czech Republic. It was founded by sculptor Vojtěch Sucharda and his wife, painter Anna Suchardová-Brichová, who wanted to give children meaningful entertainment built around genuine aesthetic experience rather than simple diversion. The first production, the fairy tale "Dlouhý, Široký a Bystrozraký," premiered in September 1920 and quickly drew attention among Prague audiences.

Where does the theatre's name come from?

The name "Říše loutek" reflects the founders' ambition: to build a self-contained stage world governed by its own rules, in which the puppet is treated as a full performer rather than a mere prop. Combined with a stylized, simplified approach to stage design, this idea helped the theatre establish a strong reputation among Prague's puppet stages during the interwar period and shaped the wider development of Czech puppetry as an art form.

Why is the theatre's building so distinctive?

In 1928 the ensemble moved into the newly built Central Municipal Library building in the heart of Prague, on Žatecká Street. The building was designed from the outset to house a puppet stage, which is why its interiors still impress visitors today: an Art Deco foyer, a starry ceiling above the auditorium, and a number of unconventional decorative elements rarely found in venues of this kind. It was in this very building, in May 1929, that puppeteers gathered for a meeting at which UNIMA was founded — the oldest international theatre organization in the world — with Prague becoming its seat.

How has the theatre survived for almost a century?

Říše loutek has operated continuously in the same building since 1928, weathering four decades of communist rule and the transition to a market economy after 1989 without any real interruption. The one serious setback came from the floods that struck Prague in August 2002, which forced the theatre to suspend activity for half a year. Aside from that episode, it remains one of the few puppet theatres in Europe with such a long, nearly century-long, continuous history in a single building.

What can visitors see at Říše loutek today?

The building currently houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Czech puppetry, guiding visitors from folk-art traditions through to contemporary forms. A dedicated exhibition, "100 Years of Říše loutek," was also presented at the House of the Golden Ring, documenting the development of the theatre's puppets from 1920 to the present — showing more than 160 puppet characters from dozens of productions, starting with works by Vojtěch Sucharda from the 1920s and continuing through figures created by sculptor Bohumír Koubek, another of the theatre's artistic directors.

Who is this place for?

For nearly a century the theatre's repertoire has been aimed primarily at young audiences, with performances designed to be accessible and engaging for children. At the same time, the building's interior — thanks to its unique early-20th-century design — is also of interest to adult visitors exploring Prague's Old Town, whether they attend a show or simply take in the foyer's architecture.

Frequently asked questions

When was Říše loutek founded? The theatre was founded in 1920, and it has occupied its current building on Žatecká Street since 1928.

Who created Říše loutek? Sculptor Vojtěch Sucharda and his wife, painter Anna Suchardová-Brichová.

What makes the theatre's interior unique? An Art Deco-style foyer with a starry ceiling and original 1920s decorative details.

What historic event took place here? In May 1929, the founding meeting of UNIMA, the international puppetry organization, was held in this building.