Colours from the void: what is black light theatre?
What if you stepped into a theatre where the lights didn’t come up when the curtain opened? What if, instead, you sat there on the edge of your seat in the pitch-black darkness, never saw the stage in front of you, and an explosion of colours materialized from the void?
This kind of experience has become a staple of the Czech theatre scene— it is a spectacle that the theatrical-minded traveler may very well stumble upon when exploring Prague.
‘Black Light Theatre’ is a performance style utilizing a darkened black-box theatre where actors wear fluorescent costumes and manipulate fluorescent props and set pieces. These elements are illuminated against a black backdrop using ultraviolet lighting. The visual effect relies on the principle that the human eye cannot distinguish black objects from a black background.
The resulting display makes the performers appear as though they are magically emerging from a seemingly infinite void. Main characters are dressed in reflective fabric while a small army of invisible performers dressed in black create dazzling scenes with various props. One such example being invisible performers carrying reflective flowers making them appear to be floating in mid air. Rife with clever optical illusions, this style of performance is an absolute treat for the eyes.
An ancient tradition
As modern as ‘Black Light Theatre’ may appear, the style has a rich history rooted in the traditions of ancient Chinese court performances. That said, the emperor wasn’t exactly watching an extravaganza in neon lights— but the forerunner to Black Light Theatre utilized candlelight to help cast images on a white canvas. On occasion, the technique of performers being rendered nearly invisible by wearing clothing that matched the colours of their backdrop was also used. Although this ancient art was visually distinct it was an important precursor to its modern counterpart. One can think of ‘Black Light Theatre’ as an evolution of centuries-old puppet performances.
The Chinese light theatre movement later spread to Japan, becoming particularly popular at some point nearing the 18th century. The medium transformed into an art called Bunraku which utilized significantly more complex lighting elements but similarly depended on more traditional puppeteering with the puppets in questions sharing more in common with marionettes than with more experimental light-puppets synonymous with “Black Light Theatre.”
Over the centuries, light theatre continued to evolve and appeared in various iterations worldwide, from America, to Germany, to Russia— however the modern technique with its particular black-box cabinet and its dependence on UV lights was pioneered by Jiří Srnec, a Czech theatre director who is credited with developing the method in the 1950’s. Prague has since become the unequivocal home of the ‘Black Light Theatre,’ with the city containing (as of the time of this writing) 10 theatres that produce shows in the style.
A distinctly creative visual artform that blends dance, puppeteering, and optical illusion, ‘Black Light Theatrw,’ has become a beloved technique, filling the Czech people with pride and visitors to the country with delight.
Jiří Srnec and the Czech ‘Black Light’ tradition
Born in Roztoky Czechia, Jiří Srnec was the singular voice who brought ‘Black Light Theatre’ in full force to the European arts scene. As a young man, Srnec studied piano and toyed with various mediums of art, eventually deciding to study at the Department of Puppetry at the Academy of Performing Arts (DAMU) in Prague.
Although Srnec had been developing the ‘Black Light’ method for years with a troupe of actors he had assembled, it wasn’t until 1962 that he got his big break after performing at the Theatre Festival in Edinburgh. The staging by Srnec’s ensemble was met with an uproarious standing ovation and it was from this singular show that world-wide excitement for Srnec’s spectacle blossomed. Since its humble beginnings, Srnec and his ensemble have since organized approximately 300 international tours and competed in 77 theatre festivals. In the 2002 NATO summit, Srnec’s theater was chosen to represent Czech culture. His company has won numerous awards.
Jiří Srnec died in 2021. His dynamic company survives him, performing continuously both nationally and internationally. Srnec has left his unforgettable mark not only on Czech culture but on the theatre community across the globe.
- Read: Srnec Theatre ‘About Us’
Where can you see black light theatre?
There are various theatres that put on ‘Black Light’ performances in Prague. In addition to Jiří Srnec’s famous theatre (billing itself as the first ‘Black Light’ in the world) three other popular spaces are HILT, WOW, and IMAGE theater. Shows are put on year-round and the menu is always in flux.
Although every theatre is constantly adjusting and innovating on its programming with new approaches being adopted frequently, HILT appears to be more focused on a ‘pop’ feel that highlights dance, while WOW and IMAGE tend to be more story-focused with more consistent forays into the avant-garde. The Srnec Theater remains a place of pioneering spectacle and creative liberty.
You can find links below to the webpages for each of these theatres. Tickets for performances are on sale there.