Czech Brutalist Pearl Closed. Controversial Building Under Renovation

All the original elements of the theatre’s elegant interior will remain in place, including marble and green serpentine stone tiles, wooden panelling and a spiral staircase. The monumental chandelier designed by Pavel Hlava and Jaroslav Štursa will also be restored.

Nová Scéna in Prague: The Czech pearl of brutalism

What will change? First of all – the theatre hall, which will gain a new stage and new seats. After the renovation, the audience capacity will increase by one hundred seats. Additionally, it will be possible to remove the seats to organize a concert with standing places. The old seats will go to a charity auction, some of them will remain in the theatre as elements of the cafe and foyer decoration.

There will also be more space for theatre staff thanks to the expansion of dressing rooms, storage rooms and other work spaces. New audition rooms and studios will also be created.

One of the interventions that is causing particular controversy among interested internet users is the liquidation of the Nona Café, a café extremely popular among Prague residents, which is located on the first floor. After renovation, a two-level café will be created here, which will occupy part of the ground floor and the first floor.

As part of the modernization of Nova Scéna, two buildings of the complex will also be connected – the main one with a glass facade and the one that housed a restaurant years ago. Once the work is complete, they will create a common space where people will be able to move freely.