What is black light theatre in Prague?

Prague has theatres with centuries of history and opera and ballet companies of European standing. But no show is as specifically Prague, or as hard to find in any other city in the world, as black light theatre.

It is not conventional theatre. It is not magic. It is not circus. It is a form of stage illusion that uses simple optics to make objects and people appear and disappear, create levitation effects, double actors and transform the set in real time.

And it works. Even when you already know how the trick is done.

What is black light theatre

Black light theatre (černé divadlo) is a stage technique developed in Czechoslovakia in the late 1950s and the 1960s, in the period of artistic experimentation that preceded the Prague Spring. The technique is not exclusively Czech, but it was in Prague that it became a genre of its own, thanks to creators such as Jiří Srnec, who founded his company in 1961.

The optical principle is simple:

• The stage is completely dark, with a black background.
• The actors are dressed in black from head to toe, including hands and face.
• The objects that "move by themselves" are fluorescent and lit with ultraviolet light.
• Against a black background, the human eye does not see the actors dressed in black, even though they are in plain view.
• The result: objects that float, transform or vanish, and people who double or break into pieces.

The illusion needs no digital projections or advanced technology. It is optics applied to the stage, and that is part of its elegance.

What the best companies add: precise choreography, careful costumes and props, synchronised music and a story with a beginning, middle and end. The difference between a mediocre show and a good one is the same as between a birthday-party magician and a professional illusionist: the trick is the same; the execution is not.

Where to see black light theatre in Prague

There are several companies in the centre. Some have real artistic quality; others are more basic shows aimed at tourists. These two are among the most established:

Black Light Theatre of Jiří Srnec (Černé divadlo Jiřího Srnce), at Národní 20, in the New Town. It is the company of the creator who shaped the genre in the 1960s, still run by his family. Its best-known show, Anthology, brings together scenes from its whole history. If you want to see "original" black light theatre, this is the benchmark.

Image Theatre, at Národní 25. It combines black light theatre with mime and dance, in lively shows designed for all audiences.

There are other companies, such as Ta Fantastika, famous for its adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (Aspects of Alice). Programmes change, so check each theatre's listings before buying.

Practical information:

• Shows last between one hour and an hour and a half
• Performances are usually in the evening
• There is no dialogue in any language: the shows are visual and musical, so you don't need to speak Czech
• In high season (April to October) it is worth booking ahead
• They suit almost all ages, although some effects may frighten very young children

What about Laterna Magika?

Laterna Magika often appears in guides alongside black light theatre, but it is something different: a multimedia theatre combining actors, dance and film projection. It was founded by Alfréd Radok in 1958 for the Brussels World's Fair, and during the Velvet Revolution in 1989 its home in the Adria Palace served as the headquarters of Václav Havel's Civic Forum.

Today it is part of the National Theatre. Its usual home, the Nová scéna (the glass building next to the National Theatre), is closed for renovation until 2028, and in the meantime the company performs on other National Theatre stages, such as the Estates Theatre. Check its programme on the National Theatre website.

How to fit black light theatre into your trip

Black light theatre is an evening plan, so it fits at the end of any day without taking time away from sightseeing. Both recommended theatres are on Národní avenue, between the Old Town and the New Town:

• If you are coming from the historic centre: they are about 10 minutes' walk from Old Town Square and Charles Bridge.
• If you are coming from the New Town: they are about 5 minutes' walk from Wenceslas Square. And our Nazism and Communism free tour goes along Národní avenue, so you will already know the way.

None of our free tours includes black light theatre: it is an evening extra we recommend doing on your own. More evening plans in our guide to Prague at night.

Frequently asked questions about black light theatre in Prague

What is Prague black light theatre? A stage technique developed in Czechoslovakia between the late 1950s and the 1960s, based on an optical illusion: actors dressed in black against a black background move fluorescent objects lit with ultraviolet light, creating levitation, transformation and disappearance effects.

Which is the best black light theatre in Prague? The Black Light Theatre of Jiří Srnec, on Národní avenue, is the benchmark: it is the company of the creator who shaped the genre. Image Theatre, on the same avenue, is another good option for all audiences.

Can you understand black light theatre without speaking Czech? Yes. The shows are visual and musical, with no dialogue in any language, so language is no barrier.

Is it suitable for children? Generally, yes. Some disappearing effects may startle the youngest, so if you are going with small children, check the show's recommended age before buying.

Is Laterna Magika the same as black light theatre? No. Laterna Magika is a multimedia theatre combining actors and film projection. Its home, the Nová scéna, is closed for renovation until 2028, and in the meantime the company performs on other National Theatre stages.

To plan the rest of your trip, see our Prague in 2 days itinerary. The theatres on Národní avenue are a 5-minute walk from Wenceslas Square and 10 minutes from Charles Bridge.