ORIGINS AND HISTORY: Pod Palmovkou Theatre, formerly known as S. K. Neumann Theatre, is one of the most significant Czech drama theatres with a long and successful tradition. It was founded in 1948 by a group of young theatre enthusiasts, making it one of the oldest continuously operating Czech theatres. Over the past nearly eighty years, numerous outstanding directors and actors have passed through this theatre, significantly shaping the form of modern Czech culture.
The theatre is housed in an Art Nouveau building in the Prague district of Libeň – a place renowned for its unique genius loci, near the Palmovka metro station.The building itself has a rich history, originally constructed in 1865 and later rebuilt after being damaged in World War II.
Since its inception, the theatre has focused primarily on productions based on grand and powerful stories that have relevance to the present day. It also strives to connect timeless and classic works and themes with the latest trends, technologies, and staging techniques. The theatre's repertoire is built mainly on classic theatrical works presented in new (and often unexpected) interpretations, as well as new adaptations of originally non-theatrical works and new theatrical innovations.
Since 2015, part of Pod Palmovkou Theatre's activities has included the international theatre festival of Central European theatre, PALM OFF FEST. The theatre and its productions have received numerous prestigious theatre awards, and in 2018,it was named Theatre of the Year.
PRESENT-DAY POD PALMOVKOU THEATRE (2024): Come and enjoy newly interpreted theatre classics that are timeless, as well as hot and attractive theatre novelties from home and abroad. You can look forward to exceptional acting performances, which are increasingly rare in Czech theatre,the synergy of everything and everyone, and current themes developed through special video projections and top-notch technology. Pod Palmovkou Theatre is at heatre that tells stories about each of us and creates conditions for extraordinary acting performances.