Divadlo ABC

A hush fell over the audience as the velvet curtains of Divadlo ABC rose. Divadlo ABC first opened its doors in 1929, within the elegant Palác U Nováků. Initially, it wasn’t known as Divadlo ABC. The space housed the Osvobozené divadlo (Liberated Theatre). This avant-garde theatre group, unfortunately, was forced to close in 1938. After 1955, the city council established the Divadlo satiry (Satire Theatre) in the same location. Jan Werich, a prominent figure in Czech theatre, became its director. Werich aimed to revive the spirit of the Osvobozené divadlo. However, political pressures led to the theatre’s renaming to Divadlo ABC in 1958. This name has remained ever since. In 1962, Divadlo ABC became part of the Městská divadla pražská (Prague City Theatres). It joined the ranks of Divadlo Komedie and later, in 1974, Rokoko. Under Ota Ornest’s leadership until 1972, Divadlo ABC balanced popular boulevard theatre with more artistic productions. This era saw a blend of light-hearted comedies, like the ever-popular “Charley’s Aunt,” alongside thought-provoking works by Sartre and Williams. Plays by Czech writers like Oldřich Daňek and Vratislav Blažek also graced the stage. From 1972 to 1990, under Lubomír Poživil, Divadlo ABC leaned towards boulevard comedies and mysteries. Musicals and contemporary social dramas also found their place. Even Miroslav Horníček returned, directing several of his own plays. From 1994 to 2006, under Milan Schejbal, musical-dramatic productions and boulevard plays dominated the repertoire. This period also brought a wave of new talent to Divadlo ABC. In 2006, a new era began as director Ondřej Zajíc and artistic director Petr Svojtka aimed to revitalize the Prague City Theatres. They embraced the legacy of Ota Ornest. Divadlo ABC’s stage welcomed classic drama, literary and film adaptations, and original musical comedies. Today, Divadlo ABC continues to be a vibrant part of Prague’s cultural landscape.