History of the Slovak Chamber Theatre
The Slovak Chamber Theatre (SKD) was founded in 1944 as the second professional theatre in Slovakia. At that time Martin was already known for its rich amateur tradition, which was developed by the Slovak Singers' Choir. The town had a mature Slovak audience, accustomed to theatre performances in Slovak, and also the National House - an ideal space for professional theatre activities.
Unlike the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava, which was founded on a central initiative, the theatre in Martin was created naturally, as a response to the needs of the local community and amateur theatregoers. This inner energy has fuelled its growth and development for decades.
First premiere
The first premiere took place under dramatic circumstances on 22 January 1944. It was a production Philip II. by Emil Verhaeren, directed by A. Bagar. This anti-totalitarian work clearly expressed the theatre's value orientation. The production was banned, which meant a serious threat to the future of the young theatre. Nevertheless, it survived - thanks to the support of the Slovak Matrix, the Neografia printing house and other local companies.
Development and names of the theatre
In the almost 65 years of its existence, SKD has undergone several name changes:
- Slovak National Uprising Theatre (since 01.01.1951)
- Army Theatre (06.10.1951 – 1960)
- Slovak National Uprising Theatre (from 01.08.1960 - 2003)
- Slovak Chamber Theatre (2003) - under this name it was founded in 1944
Two theatre scenes
Today SKD operates on two stages:
- Studio (since 1944): a modern space equipped with state-of-the-art technology, suitable for theatre performances, sound recording and television productions.
- National House: after extensive reconstruction, was inaugurated on 19 December 2008. This historic space, once one of the centres of cultural, political and social life, is one of the jewels of Slovak culture.
The National House is not only a place for amateur performances, discussions or social events. It is a symbol of the history and identity of the Slovak nation, with unique stories that make it special.
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