The Jetpacker

Prague is famous for its ballets, operas and marionette shows.  But its most popular form of performance art is also the most unusual: black light theater.

In black light theater, UV lights are used to pop fluorescent costumes off an infinitely black wall, creating the illusion that a performer is floating in a dark abyss.  It’s supposed to produce a trippy, hallucinogenic effect kind of like a drug, but this method is way more legal and way more safe.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t come across as cool as it sounds, which in unfortunate to report because I had high expectations for black light theater in Prague.

Yes, the techniques are inventive (objects manifest out of nowhere, performers fly into the air, the body contorts into unthinkable shapes), but the shtick wears out its welcome well before the end.  The performers don’t talk during the show; it’s all dance and acrobatic displays, so the story is rather sparse (though some would say “easy to follow”).

We went to two theaters in Prague.  The first…

Image Theater

One of the most respected black light theaters in Prague is Image Theater.  Many reports say it’s been “wowing” audiences since 1990, so we thought “The Best Of Image” show would be this mind-blowing piece of eye candy.  In reality, it was interesting, but long and monotonous.

The theater was absolutely packed the night we went, so it was very cramped and very warm (the theater can only hold a few hundred people).  When the lights came down, we were in complete darkness and a lively beat burst through the speakers.  Then the black lights turned on.  But instead of revealing bodily fluids like it was a crime scene in an episode of “CSI,” bright and unusual costumes popped out of no where as dancers rolled across the stage.  The performers danced and executed acrobatic tricks with various set pieces like hula hoops and fluorescent nets.

This process repeated itself about 10 times, with each vignette lasting about 4 or 5 minutes.  The performances didn’t have a story; it was more about showcasing costumes and interesting techniques to make it seem as if things appeared and disappeared instantly.  In between segments, two comedians performed a “Spy vs. Spy”-style act that wasn’t all that funny and got really boring, really fast.

Overall, the experience was strange and unique, but it got tiring after 2 or 3 segments.  We thought we may have hit Image on a bad night (the performers seemed a bit lackadaisical and the timing was off), so we decided to check out another theater…

Laterna Magika

I’m cheating a bit here because Laterna Magika isn’t exclusively black light theater, but it does employ many of the same techniques.  Laterna Magika is a multi-media performance that incorporates elements of dance, film, music, pantomime and black light theater.  Like other black light theaters, the performances are non-verbal and appropriate for all ages.

Shows take place in the Laterna Magika Theater, a newer construction attached to Prague’s illustrious National Theater.  The glass cube exterior promises a modern interior, but that’s not the case.  The theater was lit by hundreds of standard 60-watt lights, the stiff seats were a hideous sea foam green color and the tacky lobby looked like it belonged in Tony Montana’s mansion in “Scarface.”

We saw a show called “Wonderful Circus,” about two clowns vying for the love a woman.  It was a simple story that was needlessly long.  We though the show was over after about an hour, but everyone stayed in their seats and we realized it was only intermission.  Overall, the performance was innovative and imaginative but way too repetitious.

Props Used In "Wonderful Circus"

Black light theater is a unique, avant-garde and thoughtful, but the originality of the concept wears off pretty quickly.  If you plan on visiting Prague, I still think you should try to see one black light theater show so you can form your own conclusion (after all, it’s subjective).  There are plenty of theaters, and with healthy competition breeding the creation of new techniques, I’m sure there’s a fantastic show to be found.

The Prague Experience website also some sample pictures from Laterna Magika and Image Theater.