Archa Theatre is a two storey underground venue and a centre for diverse contemporary stage art. And if it is specialized, then it’s towards the alternative end, and truly an Ark.

Archa is one of my favourite places to find some interesting and clever pieces of performance art and they are able to communicate this diversity to the public. Tickets are not the cheapest, but – do I look for quality or quantity?

The programme of Archa Theatre is rich – from dance to drama, from live concerts to workshops. To show their broad scope just a few names include: Min Tanaka (who opened it in 1994), Butthole Surfers, The Residents, Václav Havel, Zappa plays Zappa, Amon Tobin, Anoushka Shankar, Tiger Lillies, …

Important to mention is that Archa is not only a theatre, it is a production house too – they have many international projects. Also I should not forget the Archa.lab, a loose alliance of artists collected around the Archa Theatre who stress the importance of practical theatre activities, focusing on exploration, research and experiment.

The Guardian newspaper mentioned Archa as the country’s “alternative National Theatre”, and that fits – Archa is exceptionally well-equipped venue for all kinds of stage art: from drama to dance, for concerts as well as performances. All that including a café that serves hot and cold drinks and snacks. Archa feeds the soul and body at the same time.

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Archa Theatre | Art & culture, Music, Theaters
Na Poříčí 26 | Praha 1 | +420221716333
According the programme

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As the history of this one is very different from that of The National Theatre, the atmosphere of the Estates Theatre is also different. All furnished in white, pale blue and gold, I feel like I am in a cultural paradise of the high-class Prague bourgeoisie from the end of 18th century. All cherubic bottoms are perfectly rounded

Once I was taken behind the scenes, where the singers and orchestra were preparing for Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute). Seeing the Queen of Night sipping her drink, Sarastros chatting with Tamino and the First Violin smoking her last cigarette before the show, that was something I will never forget.

And then there was the show – their production of The Magic Flute is truly breathtaking. Maybe what counts here is the enormous success that W. A. Mozart experienced with his opera buffa Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro). Afterwards which he wrote Don Giovanni especially for this theatre, and for those he named as “my Praguers who understand me.”

Have a look at their programme and choose your evening tale!

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The Estates Theatre | Art & culture, Music, Theaters | Tickets from CZK 50.00
Ovocný trh | Praha 1 | +420224228503
Box office 10:00 – 18:00 & 45 min. before the beginning of a performance

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Have a drink or two and maybe meet some friends. That’s one of the reasons why I pop into the NoD bar from time to time. The other important reasons are the concerts, exhibition openings, and performances.

When you arrive, get a drink first. The huge bar cannot be overlooked. Do not worry where to sit, there will always be a space, by the bar itself or on the platform next to the bar, or by the alcoves. You can enjoy the view down to bustring Dlouhá street or just enjoy the afternoon quiet atmosphere or the evening buzz and fuss.

Experimental space NoD is connected with Roxy (check the Roxy article), a famous Prague club, and one of the oldest. Roxy downstairs, NoD upstairs. A perfect combination for those who feel frisky day`n`night. NoD defines three subdivisions: Theatre NoD, Gallery NoD, and multimedia NoLab. They are connected to any good quality projects, efforts to uncover strange juxtapositions and dialogs.

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NoD | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Snacks, Theaters | Show from CZK 100
Dlouhá 33 | Praha 1
14:00 – 22:00 daily

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