Black Light Illusions
I enjoyed Prague’s masterful Black Light Theatre performance last night! The presentation included ten humorous skits combining dancing objects with talented actors and mimes – all staged with impeccable effects and music. Black Light Theatre creates seemingly magic visual illusions using black curtains, a darkened stage, UV light, and fluorescent costumes.
“A key principal of Black Light Theatre is the inability of the human eye to distinguish black objects from a black background. The result is invisibility of objects not illuminated by the ‘black light’. The second optical principle behind Black Light Theatre is the effect of UV light on fluorescent objects. Black lights omit as much light as ‘normal’ lights, but at a frequency that human eyes cannot detect. Designers can make objects appear as bright as if the room were fully lighted, while making other objects appear as dark as if the room were completely dark.”
Srnec Theatre Prague
I met an employee at my hotel who’s a puppeteer and performs all over the world. He recommended Srnec Theatre and has helped stage their productions. Known as the first black light theatre in the world, founder Jiri Srnec was awarded the highest Czech decoration – Credit of the State in the Field of Culture and Arts Medal.
“The origin of black light theatre goes back to ancient China where, with the help of candlelight, people performed silhouette shows over white sheet screens. Modern black theatre was founded in the 1950s and developed by French avant-garde artist George Lafaille – regarded as the father of the black light theatre. It’s based on the use of “technological innovations such as multimedia and linking up traditional theatre with ballet, pantomime, music, and circus.”
