Want to understand Czech culture? See an English-friendly play at a small Prague theater

In a city where theatrical traditions are deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, Prague’s smaller theaters offer more than just entertainment. While venues such as the National Theatre and State Opera have long drawn global attention, the smaller, more intimate theaters—those with rich histories that trace back to the Velvet Revolution—reveal the undercurrent of Prague’s complex cultural scene.

Yet, despite renewed audience interest and record attendance, many of these theatrical institutions struggle with mounting financial pressures.

Prague’s historic theaters were once the epicenter of political movements, where revolutionary ideas were as much a part of the program as the plays themselves. Today, these venues must navigate the delicate balance between artistic integrity and financial sustainability.

Recently, the city of Prague has announced a funding initiative to provide a much-needed lifeline to theaters like Studio Ypsilon, Divadlo Minor, Divadlo Na Zábradlí, and Švandovo Divadlo, ensuring they can maintain their relevance while continuing to offer affordable ticket prices to the public.

"I consider the budget adjustment an important step in Prague’s culture. Support for theaters is key to their development in the next season, which will have a positive impact on the entire range of Prague’s cultural scene,” Jiří Pospíšil, Prague Deputy for Culture.

While Prague’s theatergoers have long enjoyed performances in Czech, the rise in international visitors has encouraged local venues to rethink their approach. The trend of incorporating English-language elements—whether through subtitles or full performances—has made these theaters increasingly accessible to a global audience.

“Given our location in the historic center of Prague and frequent collaborations with international partners, we consider accessibility to foreign audiences one of its priorities,” Petr Štědroň, Divadlo Na Zábradlí told Expats.cz.

As one of Prague’s most influential institutions, Divadlo Na Zábradlí is a testament to the city’s deep cultural history. Once a haven for revolutionary thought—Czech playwright and president Vacláv Havel was dramaturg here and debuted his play Garden Party here in 1963—the theater continues to push the boundaries with productions that speak to contemporary concerns.

It's also committed to breaking down language barriers: At present, Divadlo Na Zábradlí offers most of its productions with English subtitles, while some works also feature German subtitles or, more recently, Ukrainian subtitles. Under Štědroň's direction, Na Zábradlí remains unique in Prague’s theatrical landscape.

Located in the Smíchov district, Švandovo Divadlo offers a more intimate theatrical experience, where classic and contemporary works collide. While the theater’s core audience remains local, its decision to provide English subtitles for select performances marks an effort to engage a broader, more diverse public.

Productions such as 1984, based on George Orwell’s dystopian novel, and Anna Karenina, Tolstoy’s tale of passion and sacrifice, underscore the venue’s commitment to relevance—both in terms of content and accessibility.

A number of smaller venues across Prague cater specifically to expats and non-Czech-speaking audiences, offering a more comprehensive range of English-language performances. Divadlo Na Prádle, home to the Prague Shakespeare Company (PSC), regularly presents both the Bard’s works and contemporary pieces in English. Cimrman English Theatre takes a more humorous approach, translating works based on the legendary (though entirely fictional) exploits of Czech genius Jára Cimrman.

In the same vein, the newly revitalized Bear Theatre, housed in the Reduta Jazz Club, offers educational performances ranging from Shakespeare to historical comedy.

For expats living in Prague, understanding the city’s theater tradition is essential. Theater-going is a long-standing practice here, with families dedicating weekends to it, schools organizing outings, and theater cafés serving as lively hubs for cultural and social life where, according to Štědroň, you’ll increasingly hear multiple languages spoken before the curtain goes up.