Teatro de la Laboral

Teatro de la Laboral is a large modern theatre housed inside the historic Universidad Laboral complex, in the Cabueñes district of Gijón, in Asturias, northern Spain.

Where exactly is it?

The theatre sits within the vast former Universidad Laboral de Gijón site, today known as Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura. Its coordinates are 43.52494, -5.61507, placing it in Cabueñes, a district south of central Gijón, not far from the Cantabrian coast.

What's the story behind the theatre?

The restored Teatro de la Laboral reopened on 19 October 2007, as part of a wider plan to turn the former Universidad Laboral into a multi-purpose cultural centre. The regeneration of the whole site was launched in 2001 by the regional government of the Principality of Asturias, and the resulting Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura was officially inaugurated in March 2007. Since then, the former vocational school grounds have become one of the region's main cultural hubs.

What will you find inside?

The auditorium seats 1,426 people and includes an orchestra pit for around a hundred musicians, making it one of the largest stages in Asturias. It holds the distinction of being the first self-governed theatre in the region, and it is regarded as one of the best-equipped venues in northern Spain in terms of space, capacity and stage technology.

What else is part of the complex?

Beyond the theatre itself, Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura hosts the regional broadcaster's headquarters, the LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial (an art and industrial creation centre), vocational training schools, a school of dramatic arts, a professional dance school, a church, a café, an assembly hall, and the Faculty of Commerce, Tourism and Social Sciences. The site therefore combines a working theatre with a broader educational and cultural role for the region.

How do you get there?

Teatro de la Laboral is located in the Cabueñes district, south of downtown Gijón. It's easiest to reach by car or local bus, and the Universidad Laboral complex is easy to spot from a distance thanks to its sheer architectural scale, making it one of the city's best-known landmarks.

When should you visit?

The theatre's programme runs mainly through the cultural season, from autumn to spring, with plays, concerts and other stage events. It's worth checking the current schedule before visiting, since access to the auditorium is generally tied to specific performances or organised visits to the Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura complex.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Teatro de la Laboral located? In the Cabueñes district of Gijón, within the former Universidad Laboral complex, now called Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura.

How many people can the theatre seat? The auditorium holds 1,426 spectators and has an orchestra pit for about a hundred musicians.

When did the restored theatre reopen? On 19 October 2007, following a renovation project launched in 2001 by the Asturian regional government.

What else can visitors see in the same complex? Alongside the theatre, the site includes the LABoral art centre, arts schools, a church, and the regional broadcaster's headquarters.