Kačina The chandelier originally hanging over the stage was allegedly removed during WWII. The auditorium is decorated with typical mid-19th century wall paintings. The main box on the ground floor is located against the rear wall of the high-ceilinged auditorium and there is a two-story gallery above it. As in the other parts of the chateau, a hot-air heating system was installed in the auditorium. The scenery that still exists is heavily damaged and incomplete, making it impossible to build a complete set on stage. The theatre was opened to the public prior to 1950. At that time, the stage housed a display of stylized figurines by the sculptor Olbram Zoubek, depicting villagers bowing to the lord of the manor. The theatre was slowly completed over several decades. The preserved ground plans document how the design for the theatre’s technical equipment was gradually developed with Count Chotek’s personal involvement. MNICHOVO HRADIŠTĚ STAVOVSKÉ DIVADLO Kačina Litomyšl Český Krumlov Weitra (Vitoraz) Grein Theatre an der Wien Graz – SchauspielHAUS Graz – OPERA History A system of shafts and counterweights located next to the side wall of the stage was used for lowering the scenery. The same principle, with very few changes, is used in theatres today. The system at Kačina is most likely the oldest preserved example of this type of equipment in the Czech Republic. Some of the scenery was moved to the Kačina theatre from an older, smaller provisional theatre, most likely housed in one of the halls of the palace, which was used before the present theatre opened. The Kačina theatre stage shows how modern theatres developed. In comparison to older theatres, the scenery at Kačina was pulled up to the spacious fly loft above the stage without having to be folded. The rolled-up backdrops remain stored on hooks mounted on the rear wall of the stage. They require detailed restoration in the future. The scenery that does exist includes this backdrop depicting a Gothic room, which is typical of the historical narrative tendencies of the mid-19th century. In addition to the painted features, the canvas is also decorated with gilded paper elements. Scenery A small number of theatre costumes has been preserved in the collection maintained by the National Museum, to where they were transported from Kačina in 1973. Drama was a standard part of the education of young aristocrats as far back as in the 18th century. During the 19th century, it was no longer only something to be studied but also became a form of family entertainment. The Kačina collection consists of children’s costumes. Some are even signed, making it possible to identify who originally performed in them. The costumes apparently date back to the second quarter of the 19th century, when today’s palace theatre was not yet open and the Chotek family most likely performed in one of the chateau’s halls or in their nearby palace Nový Dvory. Two almost identical costumes are signed “R. Chotek” and “E. Chotek”. The Chotek brothers – Rudolf and Emerich – actively participated in their family’s stage life even as small boys. Costumes