The resurrection of Spirála: Unique theatre puts on first performance since 2002 floods
After twenty-two years of closure, the distinct round theatre by Prague’s Výstaviště has reopened under the new name of Nová Spirála. The impressive space welcomed its first audience for a review of music and dance, featuring a live orchestra and songs from popular musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar and The Greatest Showman.
In August 2002, the Spirála theatre was hit by the devastating floods that submerged low-lying areas of Prague. Following almost two decades of structural decay, reconstruction began at last in 2021, and last week viewers got to experience the renovated space and its unique atmosphere. The inaugural show was entitled ‘Resurrection’, and demonstrated the theatre’s acoustic capacities with a live eighteen-piece orchestra, directed by Kryštof Marek.
The show was a medley of recognisable hits from musicals and modern pop, including songs by the Spice Girls, AC/DC and Imagine Dragons. The musical miscellany was tied together by a narrator, who introduced the songs and presented a symbolic story of the theatre’s emergence “from the mud”. The central stage and round auditorium allows audiences to feel very close to the action – so close that some viewers of Resurrection were surprised to find a member of the cast beside their seat!
Prague's theatre fans have plenty of opportunity to see the show; Resurrection runs from the 3rd of October to the 15th of December. The autumn programme of performances at Nová Spirála continues with the romance Madison Bridges (November 7th – December 12th) and the TEDxPrague 2024: Metamorphosis conference on November 23rd.
