Teatro Fernán Gómez Explained

Teatro Fernán Gómez
Former Names:Centro Cultural de la Villa de Madrid
Address:Plaza de Colón 4
Location:Madrid, Spain
Coordinates:40.425°N -3.6894°W
Type:Public theatre
Capacity:Sala Guirau: 689
Sala Jardiel Poncela: 95–175

The Teatro Fernán Gómez (previously Centro Cultural de la Villa de Madrid) is a theatre and cultural centre in Madrid, Spain.

History

Located near the Plaza de Colón in the Jardines del Descubrimiento, the theatre was inaugurated on 15 May 1977.[1] Since its early days, its programme has featured plays by both classical and contemporary authors, as well as other events such as concerts and exhibitions.[2] One of its first major events was hosting the 1977 OTI Festival.

In 2007, the theatre adopted the name of actor and author Fernando Fernán Gómez, who had died that year.[3] In September 2013, the City Council of Madrid dismissed the director of the theatre and announced its intention to privatize its management, sparking outrage in the cultural world.[4] The council eventually conceded.[5]

Structure

The theatre has three rooms. The main one, Sala Guirau, has a capacity for 682 people. The secondary Sala Jardiel Poncela (also known simply as Sala Dos) can accommodate up to 175 people.[6] The third room is an exhibition hall (Sala de exposiciones) with a surface area of 2000m2.[7]

Other uses

The theatre has hosted funerals of celebrated artists on several occasions throughout the years, with those of Lola Flores (1995),[8] Rocío Jurado (2006),[9] and Tony Leblanc (2012)[10] being notable examples.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hoy estrena Madrid la nueva Plaza de Colón. ABC. 15 May 1977. es. 6 July 2020.
  2. La escena madrileña en la transición política (1975-1982). Teatro: revista de estudios teatrales. 1993. Pérez. Manuel. es. 23. 3–4.
  3. Web site: El centro cultural de la Villa se llamará Teatro Fernando Fernán- Gómez. 20minutos. 22 November 2007. es. 6 July 2020.
  4. Web site: El Ayuntamiento de Madrid quiere privatizar el teatro Fernán Gómez. El País. 27 September 2013. García Gallo. Bruno. es. 6 July 2020.
  5. Web site: El Ayuntamiento niega que pretenda privatizar el Teatro Fernán Gómez. zonaretiro.com. 15 November 2013. es. 6 July 2020.
  6. Web site: Teatro Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa - Madrid. www.todosalteatro.com. es. 6 July 2020.
  7. Web site: Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa. www.madridcultura.es. es. 6 July 2020.
  8. Web site: España pierde a su artista más popular. El País. 17 May 1995. Castilla. Amelia. García. Rocío. es. 6 July 2020.
  9. Web site: Despedida de los ciudadanos a Rocío Jurado. El Mundo. 1 June 2006. Vicente. Sandra. es. 6 July 2020.
  10. Web site: La capilla ardiente de Tony Leblanc, fallecido a los 90 años, abierta al público. www.que.es. 25 November 2012. es. 6 July 2020. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121128095420/http://www.que.es/ultimas-noticias/espana/201211251114-capilla-ardiente-tony-leblanc-fallecido-cont.html. 28 November 2012.