What is Black Light Theatre?

Black light theatre is one of Prague's signature performances: an impressive cocktail of pantomime, dance, music, and visual illusion that needs no translation. It's a favourite with couples, families and solo travellers alike, since the story is told entirely through movement, light and colour.

Black Light Theatre history:

Black light theatre's optical principle, using a black background to hide performers dressed in black while UV light illuminates fluorescent objects and costumes, builds on the 19th-century "black cabinet" stage trick. The modern form emerged in the 1950s through French avant-garde artist George Lafaye, who pioneered UV stage lighting. Many Czech puppeteers saw his performances in 1955 and brought the technique back to Czechoslovakia, with the first family black light theatre group founded in Prague in 1959 by Josef Lamka and Hana Lamková. In the 1960s, Czech artist Jiří Srnec brought the form to perfection and gained worldwide acclaim at international festivals, establishing it as a distinct theatrical genre. His theatre, the world's first black light theatre, continues to perform in Prague today. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Prague became the genre's true global home, growing to around ten resident companies and remaining the world's recognized center for black light theatre today.

Which Prague black light theatre should you choose?

• Image Theatre — one of Prague's most popular black light shows. Known for its imaginative staging and broad appeal to all ages.
• Reduta Theatre — home to the original Black Light Theatre of Jiří Srnec, the genre's founder and the oldest company still performing in the city.
• Wow Black Light Theatre — a modern, high-energy take on the format.
• Hilt Black Light Theatre — an intimate venue with its own distinctive style.
• Laterna Magika — performed at the National Theatre's New Stage and other major stages — is a world-famous production that blends film, ballet, pantomime, and live performance with digital projection.

Good to know before you go:

• Suitable for all ages: Black light theatre has no spoken dialogue, making it one of the easiest cultural experiences in Prague to enjoy with children or non-Czech-speaking guests.
• No language barrier: The story is told entirely through visuals, music, and movement.
• Performance length: Most shows run 60–90 minutes, often without an intermission; we recommend checking the individual event listing for exact timing.
• Best for first-time visitors: If you only have time for one "uniquely Prague" show, we highly recommend visiting the black light theatre.