Přírodní divadlo Divoká Šárka, Open-air theatre in Divoká Šárka nature reserve, Prague, Czech Republic.
Přírodní divadlo Divoká Šárka is an open-air theater built into natural hillsides within a nature reserve, featuring grassy slopes that form a natural amphitheater. The performance area sits surrounded by these earth-covered inclines that accommodate spectators throughout the space.
The amphitheatre was created before World War I, mainly through the efforts of the singer Emil Pollert. The National Theatre's summer stage opened on 16 May 1913 and played almost continuously until 6 June 1922, when the project was halted for economic reasons; the theatre ceased to exist in 1924.
Since 2005 a classical Czech opera is staged once a year, on the first Sunday of September, with free admission and spectators seated on blankets they bring themselves. Smetana's Prodaná nevěsta was revived in 2005 and 2006, and the 2013 centenary performance drew an estimated 17,000 people.
Visitors should bring blankets or cushions since seating is on the natural grass slopes of the amphitheater. Getting there works best using local public transportation, as the location within the nature reserve sits somewhat away from central areas.
The excellent acoustics came from the valley slopes being unwooded at the time, not from the shape of the hills. Some stage sets were built of masonry, and the 1922 Prodaná nevěsta reportedly used 600 extras plus sheep and goats from local breeders.
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