Roškotovo Divadlo, Functionalist theatre in Ústí nad Orlicí, Czech Republic
Roškotovo Divadlo is a functionalist theatre at Husova 1062 in Ústí nad Orlicí, built in 1935–1936 to Kamil Roškot's design. A wedge-shaped auditorium block ends in a raised fly tower on a horseshoe plan, into which a lower rectangular backstage volume with horizontal bands of side boxes is inserted. The main entrance sits recessed in a niche of the convex facade, set into the gently sloping terrain.
The amateur Vicena society, founded in 1896, pushed for a purpose-built theatre and chose Kamil Roškot's design on 4 November 1934. The foundation stone was laid on 5 July 1935 and the theatre opened on 26 September 1936 with Smetana's opera Tajemství, during the centenary of amateur theatre in the town. It was listed as a cultural monument in 1979 and became a national cultural monument in 2017.
The theater serves as a gathering space for artists and audiences in the city, showcasing operas, plays, and films throughout the year. The stage welcomes both established and emerging performers, making it an important part of local cultural life.
The theater is located in a central position in the city and is easily accessible on foot. The building features modern lighting and sound systems that provide a comfortable viewing experience.
Kamil Roškot first tested the wedge-shaped auditorium and raised fly tower in a 1933 design for the Imperial theatre at the Škoda works in Tehran. The Ústí nad Orlicí building, finished in 1936, was nominated in the "Ten Centuries of Architecture" competition in the 20th-century building category.
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