Archa Theatre

A UNIQUE SPACE

Today’s Archa Theatre is located on the site of the original D34 theatre, later the E. F. Burian Theatre. The building, originally a concert hall, was built as part of the functionalist banking palace constructed between 1937 and 1939, designed by the architect František Marek. The radical reshaping of the theatre space in 1994 was based on the artistic project from Ondřej Hrab and the architectural designs of Ivan Plicka. The theatre technology was designed by Miroslav Melena.

The unique, multi – purpose space with two halls offers a variety of uses. The large and small halls, with a capacity ranging from  200 – 350 seated and up to 1200 standing , can be altered, arranged and linked according to need. The large hall also has a floor constructed of 4 by 4 metre squares which can be raised and lowered depending on the performance, thus enabling a large and quickly available variability in the theatre space. The theatre is in every respect equipped with the best current technology, from sound and light, through to video and catering.

HISTORY

The joint performance of Min Tanaka and John Cale, which officially opened the Archa Theatre in 1994, was a clear hint about the future direction of the theatre's dramaturgy. The encounter of a Japanese dancer and an American musician symbolized the connection of two cultures, two genres and two continents. Archa Theatre strives to be a place that is open to various and unexpected encounters. Its purpose is to examine art’s possibilities, to provide a space for innovative ideas and in various ways to reflect life at the beginning of the third millennium.

During its first seasons, Archa Theatre introduced a great many leading artistic personalities from around the world, including director Robert Wilson, choreographers Wim Vandekeybus, Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker and Jan Fabre, musicians David Byrne, Randy Newman, Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, Einstürzende Neubauten, Tindersticks, Levellers and many others. Ensembles such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Cheek By Jowl, Ultima Vez, DV8, Handspring Puppet Company and Dogtroep have also performed here. The American poet Allen Ginsberg gave one of his last performances at Archa Theatre.

With its unique dramaturgy, innovative projects that cross the boundaries of artistic genres and cutting-edge technical capabilities, Archa has established a firm reputation on the domestic and international progressive scenes. Archa Theatre does not have a stable ensemble, but operates instead as a production house that provides space to artists for their creative work. This enables the theatre to create its own projects as well as host ensembles and artists both from the Czech Republic and abroad.