On 2 October 2025, the Ungelt Theatre celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. In 1995, the then "fresh" principal Milan Hein, together with Miloš Kopecký, opened a chamber cellar space in Týnský dvůr. Since then, the theatre has staged almost a hundred premieres and has established itself as one of the leading Czech chamber theatres.
The first evening of the theatre belonged to the play Good night, Mom. with Květá Fialová and Jana Brejchová. Shortly after that came Simona Stašová and her unforgettable comedy The last of the hot lovers. Followed by Stormy spring with Alena Vránová, which brought the first Thalia Award. In the following years, legendary productions such as the musical Desire on behalf of Einodis with Marta Kubišová and Aneta Langerová, Glass ceiling with Tanya Dyková and Jiří Langmajer, the cult Rainy days or contemporary hits Violin, Brother a A date with a feminist.
On the theatre's website, you will find 30 milestones of history that trace the Ungelt's journey from Milan Hein's first decision to found the theatre to today, as well as the new Stone Stage programme for March to May 2026. In addition to popular titles, you can also look forward to two star premieres.
Into a world of mystery and suspense Switzerland with Ivana Chýlková and Petr Uhlík. Jiří Dvořák and Jiří Langmajer will invite you to the Wild West for a glass of whisky on the rocks. The second mentioned play, called How old is the moon in the theatre was chosen for Jiří Langmajer on his 60th birthday.
Switzerland
A psychological thriller by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith (Ungelt already performed another of her famous plays in 2015-2018, Between Tuesday and Friday) takes the audience to the home of a famous writer for whom killing is the most entertaining expression of life. At the end of her life, a young admirer seeks her out in her Swiss voluntary exile... A dangerous play full of manipulation, sharp dialogue and surprising twists begins to unfold.
The play is inspired by the final phase of the life of writer Patricia Highsmith, creator of the legendary literary series about a talented killer named Tom Ripley. Joanna Murray-Smith has created a gripping variation on Highsmith's psychological mysteries with all the macabre trappings - there will be no shortage of knives, daggers, poisons, revolvers, guns, and most importantly: mystery suspense.
Premiere: 21 March
"We have been thinking about Ivana Chýlková at Ungelt for a long time. We wanted to find a role for her that would show her enormous talent in a new and unexpected light. Australian playwright Joanna Murray Smith is well known to Ungelt audiences. From 2015 to 2018, we staged her most famous play with great success. Between Tuesday and Friday. Switzerland may take a completely different genre path, but it also stands out for its perfectly written dialogue and gripping structure that takes your breath away with its unexpected twists and tension. The play was and still is a huge international success - there is even a film based on it with Helen Mirren in the lead role," says dramaturg Pavel Ondruch.
How old is the moon
A production from the pen of American dramatic legend Sam Shepard (this will not be the first time his play has been performed at Ungelt - his drama was staged here in 2008-2011 Obsessed with love) takes the audience to the wild west. In it, Jiří Langmajer and Jiří Dvořák play two old friends whose conversation on the porch of a lonely house gradually - with the help of bourbon and ice - reveals old wounds and unspoken wrongs. With a typically dense atmosphere, Shepard's "theatrical Western" escalates to a confrontation at the barrel of a shotgun, offering a gritty and poetic look at a male friendship that stands up to a tough test.
Premiere: 13 May
"One of the greatest American playwrights of the 20th century, Sam Shepard, died in 2017. He lived to be 73 and wrote dozens of outstanding plays during his long career. Despite this, only his most famous texts are being performed in Czech theatres - True West, The mind's delusion, Simpatico, The buried child a Obsessed with love. The last-mentioned play was also performed at Ungelt - in 2008 it was performed by Vilma Cibulková, Miroslav Etzler, Martin Štěpánek in alternation with Ladislav Mrkvička. I think that after Shepard's departure the time has come to explore his remaining work. A translation of one of his last plays - How old is the moon - was created directly for us. This raw and tender male ballad is the author's swan song. At the end of his career and life, facing the slow eclipse of the moon, he and his characters come to terms with the passing, or rather running, of time. A masterpiece by a true Master of Drama," says dramaturg Pavel Ondruch.
You can find the full range of Stone Stage performances for spring 2026 on the divadloungelt.cz website
Divadloungelt.cz/gnews.cz - HeK