Strašnické divadlo

Strašnické divadlo is a small, intimate theatre in Prague's Strašnice district, housed in a building whose post-war history saw it change purpose and name more than once before it became the stage known to Prague audiences today.

Where did this stage come from?

The building went up between 1958 and 1961, designed by architect Karel Poličanský as a cultural centre for the Solidarita housing estate — which is also where its original name came from. It was meant to serve residents of the new estate as a community gathering spot, and included a library and a restaurant, a typical combination of functions for a socialist-era cultural house. Above the entrance portal, visitors can still see a ceramic relief by sculptor Valerián Karoušek, depicting a technician, a young family, and a harpist — a composition typical of public art from that period, blending themes of labour, family, and culture.

How did a cultural centre become a theatre?

Over time, the building gradually transformed into a theatre venue. The best-known chapter of this history spans 1983 to 1992, when it housed the ensemble of Divadlo Járy Cimrmana — one of the most popular and distinctive theatre groups in Czech culture, known for its absurdist humour and its fictional central figure, the supposedly brilliant but obscure inventor and playwright Jára Cimrman. In 1992, however, the company relocated to another part of Prague, and the following year the municipal cultural centre ceased operating in its previous form.

What happened to the building afterwards?

Divadlo Solidarita emerged on the site of the former cultural centre, and since 2004 it has been managed by the civic association Divadlo Company.cz under the leadership of Eva Bergerová. In 2006, the venue was given the name it still carries today — Strašnické divadlo. Since 2013, the building has also been home to Divadlo X10, a company focused on contemporary drama and site-specific projects created with a particular space and its character in mind.

What's worth knowing before a visit?

Strašnické divadlo sits in the Prague 10 district, in a quiet part of the city away from the tourist centre — which can itself be an advantage for visitors looking for an authentic, local cultural experience rather than a crowded mainstream venue. The theatre's programme spans both classic productions and experimental, site-specific work thanks to Divadlo X10's presence. It's a place where the history of socialist-era architecture meets a contemporary theatre scene — an unusual combination that makes the building interesting not only to theatre enthusiasts but also to anyone curious about Prague's post-war architecture.

Frequently asked questions

Is Strašnické divadlo the same building where the Jára Cimrman theatre company once performed? Yes, between 1983 and 1992 this building was home to the Divadlo Járy Cimrmana ensemble, before the company moved to another location in Prague.

Since when has the venue been called Strašnické divadlo? The building has carried this name since 2006 — before that it operated as Divadlo Solidarita.

Which theatre company performs there today? Since 2013, the building has hosted Divadlo X10, a company focused on contemporary drama and site-specific projects.

Who designed the building? The building was designed by architect Karel Poličanský and constructed between 1958 and 1961 as the cultural centre of the Solidarita housing estate.