Everyone has heard of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival but did you know that for the past 16 years, Prague has also been hosting its very own Fringe Festival? What started out in 2002, as a relatively small event, which attracted around 400 people, has since grown into a massively successful and much anticipated yearly spectacle.

These days, Prague Fringe Festival attracts roughly 6000 people every year. Prague Fringe 2017 will kick off on May 26th and finish on June 3rd. During this time, around 200 performances of 40 different shows will take place in venues big and small across the city.

“The Fringe in Prague is just like Edinburgh in the 60s: intimate, friendly and fun. It is a wonderful festival
Jim Haynes, Fringe Guru

Prague Fringe attracts people of all ages and from all walks of life with its diverse and international programme, which offers theatre, music, comedy, dance and storytelling. All performances are either in English or are English friendly and tickets are excellent value for money. If bought in advance, a ticket for a one hour show costs just 150 CZK (170 CZK in bought on the door). Students and children pay just 100 CZK (120 CZK if bought on the door) and if you are interested in seeing several different shows, it is possible to buy a book of 5 tickets for just 650 CZK, each of which can be used to enter any show, provided it is not already sold out (if you are worried about a show selling out, it is possible to reserve a seat beforehand).

For me, the worst thing about Prague Fringe is deciding what to go and see. Only yesterday I was flicking through the festival guide, thinking that just about everything looked like it would be worth seeing. To make things a little easier for you, here are a few picks from the main performance genres. These picks are shows which are highly anticipated because of successful runs at other Fringe type festivals and excellent reviews from both audiences and critics. Of course, there will be many incredible shows which aren’t listed here, so please check out the full festival guide on the Prague Fringe website.

Comedy

Men with Coconuts (Scotland)

When and Where: Malostranska Beseda on 26/5, 27/5, 28/5, 29/5, 30/5, 31/5, 1/6, 2/6, 3/6. Performance times vary, check out the online programme for details about each performance.

Age suitability: 14+

What to expect: Improvised comedy at its finest. The award winning Men with Coconuts will skilfully improvise songs and sketches based on audience suggestions. Hilarity will certainly ensue.

Men with Coconuts
Men with Coconuts

Zach and Viggo: Dream Team (USA, Norway)

When and Where: Divadlo Inspirace on 26/5, 27/5, 28/5, 29/5, 30/5, 31/5, 1/6, 2/6, 3/6. Performance times vary, check out the online programme for details about each performance.

Age Suitability: 14+

What to expect: This multi-award winning and loveable duo is fresh out of a sold out run at Edinburgh fringe. They specialise in surreal and absurdist humour, which is creative, thoroughly enjoyable and totally unique.

Zach and Viggo
Zach and Viggo

Zach Zucker: Human Person (USA)

When and Where: Divadlo Kampa on 30/5 (18.30-19.30), 1/6 (22.45-23.45), 3/6 (22.45-23.45)

Age Suitability: 14+

What to expect: Zach Zucker is a Gaulier-trained and multi-award winning comedian. His performances incorporate mime, physical comedy and real-life cartoons. Human Person has been described as “a comic, psychosexual buffet being generated and eaten live in the moment.”

Zach Zucker
Zach Zucker

Theatre

Hummingbird

Tooth and Nail Theatre Company (Scotland, England, France)

When and Where: Divadlo Inspirace on 26/5, 27/5, 28/5, 29/5, 30/5, 31/5, 1/6, 2/6, 3/6. Performance times vary, check out the online programme for details about each performance.

Age Suitability: 14+

What to expect: This is a story, set in 1950s USA, is a seductive tale of love and murder. This is a really striking visual performance which incorporates some impressive aerobatics.

Hummingbird
Hummingbird

Hess

Kinbur Productions/Gilded balloon (Scotland, England, France)

When and Where: Divadlo Kampa on 26/5, 27/5, 28/5, 29/5, 30/5, 31/5, 1/6, 2/6, 3/6. Performance times vary, check out the online programme for details about each performance.

Age Suitability: 14+

What to expect: In this award winning one man show, Rudolph Hess (Hitler’s deputy) takes to the stage and talks about himself, the Third Reich and wonders just how much has really changed since its fall.

Hess
Hess

Spoken Word

Immigrant Diaries

Sajeela Kershi and Guests (England)

When and Where: Malostranska Beseda on 28/5 and 29/5 from 22:45-23:45.

Age Suitability: 14+

What to expect: This multi-award winning show provides answers to the question: “Who are these bloody foreigners?” In a world of Trump and Brexit, we are constantly being bombarded with statistics relating to immigration, but who are the people behind the statistics? This hilarious show takes some examples from the world of entertainment.

Sajeela Kershi
Sajeela Kershi

Loud Poets

Loud Poets (Scotland)

When and Where: Malostranska Beseda on 31/5, 1/6, 2/6, 3/6 from 18.15-19.15

Age Suitability: 14+

What to expect: Slam poetry at its absolute finest. This group of loud poets is made up of some of the UKs finest spoken word artists. Expect hilarity and heart break.

Loud Poets
Loud Poets

The simplest way to buy tickets for any performances via the Prague Fringe Website. Alternatively, you can buy tickets from any of the individual venues, which will be open for sales half an hour before the first performance of the day.

Honest Tips For Your Prague Stay

AIRPORT TRANSFER Get a private transfer from/to Prague Airport for a price of regular taxi (€31).

PRAGUE CITY CARD Save time and money with Prague Card, and see 60+ sights for free.

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