With the arrival of colder weather, many of us start looking forward to the new theatre season. That’s why I’d like to invite you to a remarkable performance at the Estates Theatre in Prague.
The Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo) is one of the stages of the National Theatre in Prague. Its main building—with its gleaming roof—stands proudly along the Vltava River. However, the Estates Theatre, located on the Ovocný trh in the Old Town, is much older and has been in continuous operation since 1783 (while the National Theatre officially opened later).
Historically, the Estates Theatre is important for the Czech language, because it was one of the first theatres to regularly feature Czech-language performances, starting in 1812. This wasn’t a given at the time, as German dominated as the official language of the Habsburg monarchy, and Czech still had a long way to go toward regaining its status.
But why am I mentioning the Estates Theatre here, on a site dedicated to learning Czech? Well, besides being a fascinating historical site, it also offers several dramas with English subtitles. This means you can let yourself be carried away by carefully chosen Czech language on stage, while following the story comfortably in English. It’s a fantastic way to practice your Czech listening skills outside the classroom!
One of the shows that really caught my attention is The Bacchae. This ancient play was written by Euripides and the Prague production is staged as a spectacular party in celebration of the god Dionysus. The set bursts with color, and the performance is packed with music, dancing, and vibrant energy. The director, Jan Frič, brings the play to life as a 1970s-style musical, accompanied by live music from the psychedelic pop group Bert & Friends.
The theatre introduces the show with the line: “A story about the greatest party of all time happening just beyond the horizon.” And as spectators, we can’t help but feel drawn into the madness unfolding on stage!
The theme of the play is the conflict between instinctual desires and rational control. We witness a celebration of wine, freedom, and self-restraint, all taking place in a psychedelic atmosphere that pulls us in. With a fantastic cast of Czech actors who deliver passionate performances, this is a highly entertaining and emotional take on a classic drama.
The play is performed in a new Czech translation by the talented Petr Borkovec, a renowned Czech poet and prose writer, together with Matyáš Havrda, who first prepared the translation before Petr reworked it into poetic form. For students of Czech, this is a unique chance to hear the living beauty of the language used on stage.
To fully appreciate the beauty of the Czech language in this production, you would need a high level of Czech proficiency—but with dedication, I’m sure you’ll get there! In fact, the stunning use of language in Petr’s work could be just the inspiration you need to continue your diligent study of Czech.
But don’t worry – with English subtitles, you can still enjoy the performance and gradually train your ear for Czech. At SOLARIS School, we believe that learning the Czech language goes hand in hand with discovering Czech culture.
