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National Theatre visitors guide

The Visitors Guide is part of the Business Conditions of the National Theatre, stipulating the conditions and rules the purchaser (hereinafter referred to as the “Theatre-goer”) is obliged to comply with in all National Theatre buildings (National Theatre, State Opera, Estates Theatre, New Stage, Anenský areál complex) and premises (hereinafter referred to as the “National Theatre”). The Visitors Guide must be observed in all the spaces in which the National Theatre (hereinafter referred to as the “ND”) holds theatre performances and other events, unless stated otherwise.  

  1. The Theatre-goer is obliged to follow the advice and instructions given by the auditorium staff, safety service staff and other authorised National Theatre staff, and is also obliged to follow all the written guidelines in the ND premises open to theatre visitors.
  2. It is forbidden to enter ND premises under the influence of alcohol, drugs and other psychoactive substances, with guns and other weapons, and accompanied by animals, with the exception of guide and assistance dogs providing aid to persons with disabilities. If required, Theatre-goers are obliged to undergo a personal inspection and submit all the items they carry when entering the ND. Information pertaining to visitors with disabilities is available on the ND website. In case of need, visitors can ask the respective theatre auditorium supervisor for assistance.
  3. Theatre-goers attending theatre performances and other events are categorically recommended to wear suitable full dress or another formal outfit, particularly in the ND historical buildings. With regard to the other visitors, the auditorium staff are entitled to move Theatre-goers wearing dirty or otherwise inappropriate clothes to a seat other than that indicated on their tickets. A Theatre-goer whose behaviour poses a threat to the other Theatre-goers, who disturbs the ongoing performance or bothers the other Theatre-goers, can be made to leave the theatre. The auditorium staff can also order to leave a Theatre-goer who refuses to obey the instructions given by the auditorium staff.  
  4. Upon entering the ND, every Theatre-goer is obliged to submit a valid ticket.
    Tickets are checked in the foyers of the theatre venues (with the exception of the New Stage) by electronic readers. The theatre staff can ask Theatre-goers to present a document proving their being entitled to a discount; should the Theatre-goer fail to submit such proof, he/she will have to pay up the difference between the full and discounted ticket at the box office. Every Theatre-goer with a ticket purchased at a discount applying to persons with special health impairments is obliged to present a card attesting to special health impairments. Any unauthorised change to the data on a ticket renders such a ticket invalid and the ticket holder will not be allowed to enter the ND. Forging tickets is punishable by law. Theatre-goers are obliged to have their tickets on their person throughout the performance, and the auditorium staff are also entitled to check tickets beyond the theatre foyer. If a Theatre-goer fails to present a valid ticket, he/she can be made to leave the theatre building without being entitled to financial compensation. We do not replace lost tickets and do not issue ticket duplicates. Theatre-goers are recommended to check the venue and time of the performance and the seat stated on the ticket purchased.  Theatre-goers can solely occupy the seat specified on the ticket, while exceptional cases of reseating are fully a matter of discretion on the part of the auditorium staff.  
  5. Children must have their own tickets, unless stated otherwise. As regards performances for children, the recommended age is specified on the ND website for every respective production. Unless stated otherwise, in the case of specific performances, for instance, of productions for children aged 3 and younger, a child up to the age of 3 need not have its own ticket and can sit on an adult Theatre-goer’s lap solely at the New Stage. Parents, legal representatives, teachers or other attendants are responsible for minors and their behaviour.
  6. Theatre-goers who arrive late, after the respective performance has started, cannot be seated in their respective seats; if possible, they can be offered a seat allocated for such a purpose. Prior to the start of performances, Theatre-goers are obliged to switch off their mobiles or turn off the sound of their phones, which they are not allowed to use during performances in any manner. Taking photographs and making audio or video recordings of performances is now allowed. The ND is entitled to check whether this ban is obeyed throughout theatre performances. Should a Theatre-goer take unauthorised photographs and make unauthorised audio or video recordings, the ND staff are entitled to require that the Theatre-goer delete them, or enforce such deletion by other means.
  7. Theatre-goers are obliged to leave their outerwear, hats, umbrellas, shopping and other large bags in the cloakroom. This service is free of charge. The ND is not liable for any damage that may be incurred to items left in the cloakroom whose putting in the cloakroom is not usual (valuables, documents, keys, mobile phones and other electronic devices). It is forbidden to leave in the cloakroom weapons, hazardous items, odorous items and substances, which may damage the outerwear and other items left in the cloakroom.
  8. If a Theatre-goer loses a cloakroom token, he/she will only receive his/her outerwear and other items from the cloakroom last and after describing them in detail. If a Theatre-goer loses a cloakroom token, the ND will not be liable for the damage caused in the case that the item left in the cloakroom is collected by another person who presents the token. Theatre-goers are obliged to collect their items from the cloakroom no later than 30 minutes after the end of the performance. Items abandoned or forgotten in the cloakroom can be collected upon presenting a cloakroom token within a month after the performance, after which they will be disposed of. Theatre-goers are obliged to hand over to the theatre staff items found in the theatre venues.
  9. For safety reasons, bringing bulky luggage and other large items to the auditorium is not allowed. With respect to the limited cloakroom space, Theatre-goers are not recommended to bring large luggage to the theatre. Children’s prams can solely be left in the theatre in allocated places, but only up to their capacity. Leaving a child in a pram during a performance is not allowed. Bicycles cannot be stored in any of the ND buildings.
  10. Theatre-goers are only allowed to consume refreshments in allocated places. Bringing food and beverages, particularly in glass, to the auditorium, including boxes, is not allowed. Theatre-goers are obliged to retain neatness and order.
  11. In all ND buildings, Theatre-goers are only allowed to move around within designated spaces. They are not allowed to enter places designated for the theatre technical and other staff, nor are they allowed to enter offstage premises, with the sole exception being as participants in guided tours, accompanied by an authorised ND employee. The historical stones underground, the terrace in the ND historical building and the terrace in the State Opera are freely accessible to all Theatre-goers, generally 45 minutes prior to the start of performances and during intermissions. Theatre-goers are expected to behave cautiously and responsibly in all these premises. In the case of bad weather, terraces may not be open, and if they are open, we recommend that Theatre-goers be cautious and behave responsibly. Parents, legal representatives, teachers or other attendants are responsible for minors and their behaviour.
  12. Anyone who observes in the ND premises a defect that may compromise safety of persons or a defect that may result in damage to property is obliged to report such a defect forthwith to the theatre staff or the auditorium supervisor. Smoking is not allowed in any ND premises, and handling open flames is forbidden, with the exception of using flame as an approved stage effect within a performance of a theatre production.
  13. In the event that fire breaks out, all those present are obliged to obey and adhere to the instructions given by the ND staff.
  14. Should it be necessary to evacuate an ND building, all those present are obliged to abide by the evacuation plan and obey the instructions given by the ND fire patrol, auditorium staff and other authorised persons overseeing the evacuation. Upon their request, everyone is obliged to leave the building immediately, following the designated routes marked with green arrows and informative signs indicating the escape way.
  15. Should a person sustain an injury, everyone observing such a situation is obliged to inform the theatre staff or auditorium supervisor. A first-aid kit is available from the auditorium staff.
  16. The surtitle devices installed in the State Opera auditorium aim to provide comfort to the audience and require to be handled with care. Possible malfunction must be reported forthwith to the auditorium staff, but the device not working properly does not entitle Theatre-goers to ask for a ticket refund.
  17. The National Theatre venues are cultural facilities, with each visitor expected to behave in the manner that would not result in damage to their fittings or debasement of their interiors. Smoking (with electronic cigarettes being no exception) in all ND buildings is forbidden.
  18. In the case that, wilfully, due to evident negligence or malice, a Theatre-goer inflicts damage and breaches the rules stipulated in this Visitors Guide, the theatre staff will draw up with him/her the respective record. Should the Theatre-goer refuse to prove his/her identity or otherwise fail to collaborate with the theatre staff, the theatre staff are entitled to require the assistance of the Police of the Czech Republic (Section 63 of Act No. 273/2008, on the Police of the Czech Republic). The extent, level and manner of compensation will be determined in line with the respective legal regulations.
  19. The ND reserves the right to make changes to the programme.