National Marionette Theatre, Puppetry company in Old Town, Prague, Czech Republic
The National Marionette Theatre is a puppetry company in Old Town Prague located in a historical building within a library complex. The performances feature specially designed marionettes that are manipulated by performers positioned above or behind the stage.
The venue became the site where the International Union of Puppet Theatre was founded in 1929, a milestone for global puppetry art. This historical moment established the location as a center for puppet artists and marionette enthusiasts from around the world.
The company specializes in adapting classical operas and plays into puppet performances using elaborately crafted marionettes. These shows follow time-tested methods of Czech marionette craft that have been handed down through generations.
Visitors should expect multiple staircases to reach the performance hall, so physical mobility should be considered. Arriving early is advisable to secure good sightlines and explore the historic building at a relaxed pace.
One production based on the Don Giovanni opera has been performed over a thousand times and remains a major draw for visitors. This marionette version presents the opera in its full dramatic scope with detailed puppets and stage scenery.
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