Kids Theatre: Divadlo Minaret, Prague 1
A great way to spend the weekend is taking in one of the kid friendly theatre performances by drama group Minaret at Reduta Jazz Club theatre space in Narodni. Performances are regularly held outside the summer months and are perfect for children aged 3 and over. Adults too can enjoy the fun on stage and watching your children’s faces light up in wonderment is priceless.
I actually took Lucie along to a show when she was almost 2 and despite her young age she loved it. We also had a 1 year old boy with us who was equally entranced by the colourful and humorous theatrics on stage so the age range is just a guideline. The performances of course are in Czech but this should be no barrier for children who have little or no knowledge of Czech.
The Minaret’s are very playful and humorous on stage and encourage their young audience to yell, clap and call out when they wish. They have 11 fairy stories that they perform in rotation each week and stories are presented to please and fully entertain their young viewers. In every performance music is a major player and good will always triumph over evil, thus ensuring happy endings.
Costumes, set decorations and effects are all impressive, the theatre is on the small side but adequate, tiered seating ensures most a good view of the stage. Performances run between 50 to 80 minutes long and there is always an interval which really helps the kids maintain their focus on the action. A kiosk is in the vestibule which sells a range of snacks and drinks.
The current schedule for November is:
Sunday 16 November 3pm
About Rusalka (O Rusalce).
Performance is 70 min. For kids 5 and over. This is a poetic fairytale about love which features music by Antonin Dvorak.
Monday 17 November 3pm
Ghosts in Bohemia (Strasidla v Cechach).
Performance is 70 min. For kids 3 and over. A funny fairytale about a family of ghosts.
Saturday 22 November 3pm
Chimney Sweep’s Luck (Kominikovo stesti).
Performance is 60 min. For kids 4 and over. A Czech folk musical about a Chimney Sweep and love.
Saturday 29 November 3pm
The Magical Forest (Kouzelny les).
Performance is 60 minutes. For kids 4 and over. A fairytale about a magic violin with magical music by Vladimir Franze
Sunday 30 November 3pm
Pilgrimage to Bethlehem (Putovani do Betlema).
Performance is 50 minutes. For kids 3 and over. The story of the birth of Jesus.
In December Pilgrimage to Bethlehem (Putovani do Betlema)
will be performed on:
- Saturday 6 December 3pm
- Sunday 7 December 3pm
- Saturday 13 December 3pm
- Sunday 21 December 3pm
Please note that Minaret performs occasionally in other theatres around Prague as well as some regional centres. For further details please view their website. Also note that Pilgrimage to Bethlehem is scheduled for weekly performances throughout December but these weekday performances are for schools and kindergartens only.
Tickets can be reserved ahead of time by either calling 235 355 500, or emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or you can drop by Reduta and pick up tickets ahead of time. Alternatively you can purchase your ticket 1 hour prior to the performance. We have always managed to purchase tickets half an hour before the performance starts but be warned these shows may prove popular leading up to Christmas.
WHEN: Saturdays, Sundays (and sometimes) Mondays at 3pm
ADDRESS: Reduta (theatre is first door on the right) Narodni 20, Prague 1
FURTHER INFORMATION: see http://www.volny.cz/minaret/ in czech only
DIRECTIONS: Reduta is very close to metro station Narodni Trida, Yellow line B. Or take trams 6, 9, 18, 21 or 22 to tram stop Narodni Trida.
