Teatro Pradillo

Teatro Pradillo is a small but influential contemporary performance venue in Madrid, tucked into the quiet residential streets of the Prosperidad neighbourhood, in the Chamartín district. Travellers looking for something beyond the big commercial stages of the city centre will find here a stronghold of contemporary dance, performance art and experimental theatre.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The theatre sits at Calle Pradillo 12, north of central Madrid. The closest metro stop is Concha Espina on Line 9, and city buses 16, 19, 29 and 52 also serve the area. Visitors arriving by car can park on Calle Marcenado 34, just a short walk away.

What will you find inside?

Teatro Pradillo runs on two multipurpose rooms that can be reconfigured for performances, workshops, rehearsals, recordings or exhibitions. The main hall seats up to 121 people, keeping every show intimate and close to the performers. The programming leans firmly toward the "living arts" - contemporary dance, performance and experimental theatre - rather than mainstream drama or musicals typical of the big central venues.

A brief history

The venue opened its doors on 29 October 1990, under the joint direction of Juan Muñoz Rebollo and Carlos Marquerie. After the founders moved on, the space went through a quieter period before relaunching in 2012 as a research and creation centre. Since April 2017 it has been run by Equipo Pradillo, the team that turned it into one of Madrid's pioneering venues for creation, research and exhibition in contemporary performing arts. The theatre's artistic reputation was cemented in 2006, when it won the Max Award for New Trends, one of Spain's leading performing-arts prizes.

Who should visit?

This is a destination for visitors curious about Madrid's alternative arts scene - fans of contemporary dance, performance art and boundary-pushing theatre rather than classic comedy or musicals. It is an intimate space where artists test new stage formats, so the atmosphere tends to feel more experimental and close-up than at the large theatres downtown. Because the programme rotates seasonally and often ties into specific festivals or thematic cycles, such as the Teatralia festival, it is worth checking the current listing before planning a visit.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Teatro Pradillo? The easiest way is by metro, getting off at Concha Espina on Line 9. Bus routes 16, 19, 29 and 52 also stop nearby, and drivers can park on Calle Marcenado 34.

How many seats does the theatre have? The main hall holds 121 spectators, which keeps performances intimate and close-up.

What kind of shows does it programme? Mostly contemporary dance, performance art and experimental theatre - the "living arts" rather than mainstream commercial productions.

Is it worth checking the programme before visiting? Yes - the schedule changes regularly and is often linked to festivals such as Teatralia, so checking the current listing helps you catch the right show.