Sign in

‘Culture Window’ opens in Prague offering viewers ‘take-away’ theatre experience amidst Covid-19 lockdown

Prague troupe Cirk La Putyka has opened a “Culture Window” at a Prague marketplace building where an audience of up to four outside can watch a five-minute live show of music, acrobatics and dancing inside, while still observing social distancing rules.

Updated on: Nov 12, 2020, 18:55:19 IST
Prague | By
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

The coronavirus pandemic may have shut Czech theatres for now but some Prague residents hungry for entertainment have found that watching a live performance can be as easy as grabbing a takeaway.

Spectators view a theatre performance by an artistic group Cirk La Putyka called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)
Spectators view a theatre performance by an artistic group Cirk La Putyka called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)
Members of artistic group Cirk La Putyka rehearse before their performance called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)
Members of artistic group Cirk La Putyka rehearse before their performance called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)

Prague troupe Cirk La Putyka has opened a “Culture Window” at a Prague marketplace building where an audience of up to four outside can watch a five-minute live show of music, acrobatics and dancing inside, while still observing social distancing rules.

Spectators view a theatre performance by an artistic group Cirk La Putyka called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)
Spectators view a theatre performance by an artistic group Cirk La Putyka called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)

The window, which opened on Tuesday for two nights of performances, draws its inspiration from pick-up windows for food orders at restaurants that have also been forced to shut dining spaces due to tighter restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Spectators view a theatre performance by an artistic group Cirk La Putyka called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)
Spectators view a theatre performance by an artistic group Cirk La Putyka called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)

“This performance is for live culture addicts. They will get a dose of live culture here,” Cirk La Putyka director Rostislav Novak said.

The show starts after theatre staff lead the spectators to the window and a gong sounds to open the curtain.

Chairs are prepared for spectators to view a theatre performance by an artistic group Cirk La Putyka called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)
Chairs are prepared for spectators to view a theatre performance by an artistic group Cirk La Putyka called "Culture take-away window", amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)

Tickets for the bite-sized performances - offered for free although people are asked to donate to the group - quickly disappeared after going up on the group’s website.

Those lucky to get tickets said it was a reminder of what people are missing in this time of lockdown restrictions.

Members of artistic group Cirk La Putyka rehearse before their performance called "Culture take-away window" amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)
Members of artistic group Cirk La Putyka rehearse before their performance called "Culture take-away window" amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS)

“It is impossible to compare a live performance to television,” said one attendee, Kristyna Fendrychova. “You feel the difference and a person really misses it.”