One of the best things to do in Barcelona is enjoying its amazing range of cultural options: here you will find museums, exhibitions, cinemas, and of course theatres, which are as interesting for the plays that take place inside as for their architecture. Join us to discover which are the best theatres in Barcelona.
Teatro Tívoli
Bested only by the Liceo, Tívoli is the second biggest theatre in Barcelona in terms of capacity with its 1643 seats, and it boasts an interesting history. Although the building itself is older, the last great reform conducted on it took place in 1919, and the early 20th century decorative style impregnates the entire space, in which the rich moldings and golden decorations take the spotlight.
Film and theatre performances have alternated throughout its history, as well as numerous political events. International artists as important as Bruce Springsteen have taken its stage, as well as operas, theatre plays and musicals of every style.
Nowadays, musicals are the protagonists of its billboard because of the theatre’s dimensions. Nevertheless, it frequently features ballet shows and theatre plays as well.
Palau de la Música Catalana
Designed by the Modernist Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Palau de la Música Catalana, headquarters of the Orfeó Catalá, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The Palau deserves a visit not only for its shows, but to get know the building, articulated around a metallic structure crowned by an impressive window that sheds light and majesty to all spaces.
The Palau’s programming is extensive and varied, including operas, concerts, choral shows and incredible shows such as the ones offered by the artists of Gran Gala Flamenco every week.
Teatro Poliorama
Located a few minutes away from the central Plaza de Cataluña, the Poliorama theatre is a modern a versatile space that blends together an eclectic programming with the possibility to rent its spaces for events both public and private, which gives it a closeness to the greater audience which other, more traditional spaces lack.
First inaugurated as a cinema in 1899, it has lived through important historic moment, such as the gunfight that took place during the Spanish Civil War between members of the POUM and the CNT. The Poliorama is run by the TRES PER 3 group, made up of the members of Dagoll Dagom, Tricicle, Anexa, T de Teatre y La Brutal, who choose to only host shows of great quality and audience approval, such as the theatre plays El Método Grönholm and El Florido Pensil, and the Gran Gala Flamenco show.
Gran Teatre Del Liceu
The Gran Teatre Del Liceu can be considered as the cathedral of Catalan arts, both for its history and for its programming, as well as the magnificent building that houses them, which is well deserving of a visit itself. After its opening in 1837 in what today is known as the Portal de l’Àngel, it wasn’t until 1844 when it was relocated to where it currently stands tall, the former convent of the Trinitarios de la Rambla.
The building has been through two great fires throughout its history: the first one took place in 1861, and it destroyed both the main room and stage; the second one, in 1994, was massive enough that the restoration efforts took over 5 years to finish.
Every great opera has been performed at the Liceu, and in its current programming one can enjoy concerts, dancing and ballet shows, as well as more avant-garde performances, and even shows put together specifically for the little ones in the family.
Teatro Coliseo
Another one of the great theatres in the Catalan capital city, it opened its doors in 1923 as a cinema. Even then, it quickly began to feature other types of shows, until 1955 when it became the headquarters of every major cinema premiere that took place in the city.
Great representatives of the Catalan arts, such as Joan Manuel Serrat or Núria Espert have performed at the Coliseo. Reconverted into a theatre in 2007, its current programming is widely varied, including theatre plays and musicals, as well as concerts, intimate recitals and magic shows, and alternatives that the whole family can enjoy.
What to Watch in Barcelona’s Theatres?
Barcelona is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, and that is something that can be noticed in the vast array of cultural options one can find by strolling through its streets: there’s a show for everyone programmed in its theatres, from grand musicals to chamber concerts for the most distinguished audiences, shows of every kind and for every crowd: theatre plays, magic shows, the best flamenco performances and many more.
Get To Know the Best Flamenco Shows in Barcelona’s Theatres
If you want to see a flamenco show, Barcelona has some of the best options for you to get to know this form of art: both in the Poliorama and the Palau de la Música Catalana you will get to enjoy the shows live, courtesy of the Gran Gala Flamenco, where you will get to delight in one of the best active flamenco companies in all of Spain, and visit some of the most important buildings in the Catalan capital city at the same time. Do not miss out on this chance!
