Teatre del Mar

Teatre del Mar is a small but influential theatre in Es Molinar, a seafront neighbourhood of Palma, the capital of Mallorca. For more than three decades it has been one of the island's key independent stages, tucked away from the tourist bustle of the old town yet still an easy walk from the waterfront.

What was this building before it became a theatre?

The site had a very different life before any play was ever staged here. It began as a parish hall, where locals from Es Molinar watched amateur performances put on around religious festivals and community celebrations. Later the space was converted into a cinema known as Sala Rex, which screened films for the neighbourhood for decades. That cinema closed down in the 1980s, leaving the building without a clear purpose for several years.

How did an old neighbourhood cinema turn into a theatre?

The turning point came at the start of the 1990s. Iguana Teatre, one of Mallorca's leading theatre companies, took over the empty building and opened it as Teatre del Mar in 1990. Two years later, in 1992, the Teatre del Mar Foundation was set up to formally run the venue, a role it still holds today. The project was a collective effort from the island's theatre scene: alongside Iguana, the group Molinet and many other Mallorcan theatre professionals were involved, and that same circle went on to found industry bodies such as Illescena, an association of theatre companies, and the Association of Professional Actors and Actresses of the Balearic Islands.

What has changed at the theatre in more recent years?

Teatre del Mar hasn't stood still since its founding. In 2010 it launched a research space (Espai de recerca) dedicated to experimental stage work and the development of new theatrical forms, which ran through several editions of creative programmes. In 2019 that offer was broadened further with new proposals for scenic development, opening the venue up to younger performers and audiences. Throughout, it has stayed true to its founding idea: building new theatre audiences and responding to the island's shifting cultural and social needs.

Where exactly is it, and how do you get there?

Teatre del Mar sits in Es Molinar, one of Palma's seafront districts, stretching along the bay towards Ciutat Jardí and once known as a modest fishing settlement. Today it's a quiet, residential part of the city, popular with locals for its seaside cafés and small restaurants, and the theatre is one of the cultural anchors of the area. It's reachable by the city bus routes that serve this stretch of Palma, making it an easy trip even without a car.

Who is this venue for?

The programme at Teatre del Mar is aimed at a broad audience, ranging from conventional theatre productions to work that crosses into other performing arts disciplines, alongside education activities for children and teenagers. The building has also been fitted for accessibility, with adapted restrooms and parking spaces for wheelchair users. For visitors curious about Palma's everyday cultural life rather than just the sights of the old town, it's a worthwhile stop — a case study in how a former parish cinema grew into a serious home for independent theatre.

Frequently asked questions

What did the building used to be before it was a theatre? First a parish hall, then a cinema called Sala Rex, which closed in the 1980s.

When was Teatre del Mar founded? In 1990, when the Iguana Teatre company took over the disused cinema building.

Who runs the theatre? The Teatre del Mar Foundation, established in 1992.

What happened at the theatre in 2010 and 2019? In 2010 it opened a research space for experimental stage work, expanded in 2019 with new scenic development proposals.

Where is the theatre located? In Es Molinar, a seafront neighbourhood of Palma towards Ciutat Jardí.