Loutkové divadlo Radost, Puppet theatre in Brno, Czech Republic

Loutkové divadlo Radost is a puppet theatre housed in a converted former cinema called Urania, standing between Bratislavská and Cejl streets in Brno. Its stage has used marionettes, bottom-operated puppets, manášci and javajky, and from the 1960s also masks, pantomime and black theatre.

Vladimír Matoušek founded the puppet theatre Radost in Brno after František Tenčík invited him in September 1945; it opened on 4 October 1947 in a converted Urania cinema with Dlouhý, Široký, Bystrozraký. Professional status came on 25 October 1949 with Medvěd Fuňa, and in the 1950s the company toured Vietnam, Mongolia, India, Ceylon, Indonesia, Cambodia and Egypt.

The theatre presents traditional Czech fairy tales alongside modern productions, weaving together music, poetry, and contemporary theatrical approaches. Visitors experience how classic stories come alive through these fresh artistic perspectives.

The theatre is located at Bratislavská 216/3 in Brno with ticket purchases available at the box office and educational programs offered for local schools. Visitors can check the program ahead of time and purchase tickets on-site or in advance.

The theatre's own live orchestra, led by Alois Šebestík, who wrote all its stage music, was the only one in Czech puppet theatre of its time; musically gifted actors filled out the seven-member ensemble. Tours abroad followed, and in Vietnam the company helped found the country's first modern puppet group.