Teatro Lara

Teatro Lara is one of Madrid's oldest working theatres, tucked into the Malasaña district just steps from Gran Vía. More than 140 years after opening, it still runs a live performance schedule inside an auditorium that is itself a piece of history.

What is the history behind Teatro Lara?

The theatre was built on the initiative of Cándido Lara and opened its doors on 3 September 1880, during the reign of Alfonso XII. At the time, Madrid had no electric street lighting, no metro, and Gran Vía itself did not yet exist — the theatre predates the modern city that now surrounds it. It quickly became a favourite stage of the bourgeois public, closely associated with the género chico tradition of short comic works and juguetes cómicos, and it carried a reputation for prestige among the cultural elite of the era.

Several works that later entered the canon of Spanish theatre premiered on this stage, including Jacinto Benavente's "Los intereses creados" and Gregorio Martínez Sierra's "Canción de cuna." The theatre also hosted the premiere of "El amor brujo," a piece tightly bound to Spain's early 20th-century stage tradition.

The building's survival was not always guaranteed. In 1931, it faced demolition under the terms of Milagros Lara's will. The Republican minister Fernando de los Ríos intervened to overturn those provisions, saving the theatre for future generations of audiences.

What will you see inside?

The interior follows the style of late 19th-century French theatre design. The facade is marked by four arched entrances topped with lanterns, while visitors are greeted by an elegant entrance hall and foyer lined with cast-iron columns painted a deep red. It ranks among the most architecturally striking theatres in the whole Community of Madrid, pairing 19th-century grandeur with a stage that is still very much in active use.

How do you get to Teatro Lara?

The theatre sits right in central Madrid, in the Malasaña neighbourhood, directly next to Gran Vía, one of the city's main avenues. Because of this central location, it is an easy walk of just a few minutes from most points in the city centre, and the surrounding streets are packed with cafés, bars, and other theatres — making the area a natural stop before or after a show.

When is the best time to visit?

Teatro Lara operates year-round as an active stage, so the best time to come is whenever a show from the current programme fits your schedule. Visitors mainly interested in the building's architecture should consider an evening visit, when the lit facade and foyer best evoke the atmosphere of a stage that has been running for well over a century.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Teatro Lara built? It opened on 3 September 1880, commissioned by Cándido Lara during the reign of Alfonso XII.

Which plays premiered here? The theatre hosted premieres including Benavente's "Los intereses creados," Martínez Sierra's "Canción de cuna," and "El amor brujo."

Was the building ever at risk of demolition? Yes. In 1931 it faced demolition under Milagros Lara's will, and it was saved by the intervention of minister Fernando de los Ríos.

Which Madrid neighbourhood is it in? Teatro Lara is located in Malasaña, right next to Gran Vía, in the heart of central Madrid.