Teatro Bellas Artes, Madrid

Teatro Bellas Artes is an intimate drama theatre in the very heart of Madrid, tucked into the ground floor of the Círculo de Bellas Artes building on Calle Marqués de Casa Riera, just a short walk from Gran Vía and Plaza de Banco de España.

How was Teatro Bellas Artes founded?

The theatre's story began in 1961, when José Tamayo — one of the most respected stage directors and impresarios in Spain at the time, and founder of the Compañía Lope de Vega — decided to open a venue of his own. Doors opened on 17 November 1961 with the play "Divinas palabras." The Tamayo brothers' idea was to create a so-called "Teatro de Bolsillo" (Pocket Theatre): a small but prestigious stage dedicated to ambitious programming, including works by the leading playwrights of the 20th century. The Círculo de Bellas Artes building that houses the theatre was designed by architect Antonio Palacios Ramilo, known for several of Madrid's landmark early-20th-century buildings.

Who runs the theatre today?

For its first decades the venue was managed by Ramón Tamayo, brother of the founder, who continued the artistic direction set by José Tamayo. In 2005, management passed to the Pentación S.A. group, led by Jesús Cimarro, who still oversees the artistic programme today. The change in management did not disrupt the theatre's original mission — it still favours high-quality productions that blend classic works with more contemporary scripts.

What will you see inside?

The auditorium seats 436 people, making it one of the more intimate theatre spaces in Madrid; the close distance between stage and seats gives performances a particularly immersive feel. Near the entrance to the hall, look out for a painting by Vicente Viudes, which has decorated the theatre's foyer for years and remains a distinctive feature of its interior.

How do you get to Teatro Bellas Artes?

The theatre sits right in the city centre, near Plaza de Banco de España and Gran Vía, so the metro is the easiest way in — the nearest stations are Banco de España and Sevilla. From Puerta del Sol it's only a short walk of a few minutes, which makes the theatre easy to combine with other sights in central Madrid. Worth knowing: the Círculo de Bellas Artes building itself is one of the capital's cultural landmarks, also housing an art gallery and a well-known rooftop viewpoint over Madrid, accessible separately from the theatre.

When should you visit?

The programme changes seasonally, so it's worth checking the current schedule before planning a visit. Performances run for most of the year, typically in the evenings on weekdays and in the afternoons on weekends. Because the auditorium is relatively small, tickets for popular productions are best booked in advance.

Frequently asked questions

How many seats does Teatro Bellas Artes have? The auditorium holds 436 seats, making it one of the more intimate theatre venues in Madrid.

Who founded the theatre, and when? Director José Tamayo, founder of the Compañía Lope de Vega, opened the theatre on 17 November 1961 as a "Pocket Theatre" project built around ambitious programming.

Where exactly is the theatre located? On the ground floor of the Círculo de Bellas Artes building on Calle Marqués de Casa Riera, near Gran Vía and Plaza de Banco de España in central Madrid.

Which play opened the theatre? The inaugural production in 1961 was "Divinas palabras."

Who manages the theatre today? Since 2005 the theatre has been run by the Pentación S.A. group, under the direction of Jesús Cimarro.