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Municipal Theatre

history of the theatresupplementtechnical dataHistoric equipment

Important events

(detail)1841 | Opening

(detail)1886 | closure

History

The first theatre in Tábor – if we do not take into account the halls that were occasionally adapted in inns or townsmen’s houses – was erected here between 1840–41 in the ground floor of a municipal granary, which stood from 1836 (other sources state 1838) in a bailey i.e. between two fortification walls by the Prague (sometimes New) gate. It was obviously used with intermissions in the first years – the theatre was alternately performed in a hall in Střelnice and the stage in the granary was even converted into a jury hall for a short period of time in 1849. Already in 1851, boxes in the auditorium were being reconstructed (Josef Kajetán Tyl performed here in the very same year). A new stimulus for the theatrical life was the establishment of an amateur theatre association in 1857 ( and of a committee for construction of a new theatre at the same time? ). The old theatre was reconstructed and newly furnished for this occasion and was provided for instance with a new curtain with a view of Tábor among other thanks to counselor František Fiala. New boxes were designed by school  director František Šanda in 1864–1865: the costs of this alteration were paid from the profit of annual balls that were organized here for several years.  Other modifications were carried out at the stage (trap doors) in 1869 and a need of reconstructing the theatre started being discussed. Seats in the auditorium were refurbished as well still in 1871.  

Counselor Fiala presented a project of reconstruction of the building that was designed by city builder František Klír (Klier) to the city council in 1874. A fund was established for reconstruction of the theatre and the house that was adjacent to the theatre was purchased for future enlargement. However, the project was then postponed for the time being and not before 1882, projects appeared either for radical reconstruction of the theatre in the existing location, or for a new structure on a more convenient location. An expert advice and reconstruction design was requested from František Buldra Sr. (1851–1926) who was a member of the committee for the renewal of the burnt National Theatre between 1881–83. A security committee that was summoned by this occasion for control ascertained that the old theatre, “ the former shed between two fortification walls”, was dangerous, unhealthy and unhygienic – and it was decided to erect a new theatre.

 

 

Author: Jiří Bláha

Translator: Jan Purkert

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