Theater in Teplice and Ústí nad Labem

(in English): This thesis focuses on a comparative analysis of the development of theatrical institutions in Teplice and Ústí nad Labem during the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century. The main aim is to demonstrate how differing social, economic, and urban conditions shaped the emergence, architectural form, operation, and social function of theatres in these two cities. The thesis is based on the distinction between two models of theatrical institutions: the spa theatre, closely connected to aristocratic representation and the seasonal rhythm of spa towns, and the industrial theatre, whose foundation and operation were largely determined by bourgeois self-confidence, industrial patronage, and efforts toward cultural emancipation within a modern industrial city. Using the example of Teplice, the theatre is analysed as an integral part of the spa environment with a cosmopolitan audience and international cultural connections. In contrast, Ústí nad Labem is examined as a city in which the theatre functioned primarily as a symbol of modernity, social prestige, and cultural identity within an industrial society. Methodologically, the thesis combines archival research, analysis of contemporary press sources, and secondary literature with a historical-comparative approach. Attention is...