Open Theater

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Theatre

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Campolide

Location

Located in the Campolide area of Lisbon, Teatro Aberto is situated in Praça de Espanha, a significant urban space in the city. This square serves as a central hub, characterized by a bustling atmosphere and good integration into Lisbon's urban fabric, making access to the theatre quite direct for those travelling within the capital.

A Stage of Historical Legacy

The roots of Teatro Aberto date back to the mid-1960s, a period when Grupo 4, a collective of artists such as Rui Mendes, Morais e Castro, Irene Cruz, and João Lourenço, established itself as one of the pioneers of independent theatre in Portugal. It was this group that, in 1976, brought Teatro Aberto to life in Praça de Espanha, marking its debut with Bertolt Brecht's play, "The Caucasian Chalk Circle". In 2002, the theatre moved to new facilities within the same square, which now include two distinct halls, the Blue Hall and the Red Hall, allowing for greater versatility in the presentation of performances.

Artistic Commitment and Diversity

Teatro Aberto is distinguished by its vast and diverse repertoire, which ranges from the great classics of universal theatre to the most recent productions by national and international contemporary playwrights. In addition to theatre, the venue regularly hosts opera performances and concerts, underscoring its openness to different artistic expressions. Under the artistic direction of João Lourenço for theatre and João Paulo Santos for music, this stage has been a meeting point for a wide artistic community. Throughout its history, it has produced dozens of plays, operas, and concerts, involving hundreds of actors, singers, musicians, directors, and set and costume designers, demonstrating a continuous commitment to the vitality of the performing arts.

Institutional Recognition

The relevance of Teatro Aberto in the Portuguese cultural landscape is highlighted by the official recognition it has received over the years. In 2017, celebrating its fortieth anniversary, the institution was awarded the Ordem da Instrução Pública (Order of Public Instruction) by the President of the Republic, a remarkable achievement as it was the first time an artistic entity had been granted such an honour. This theatre also collaborates with the Sociedade Portuguesa de Autores (Portuguese Society of Authors) in the annual organization of the Grande Prémio de Teatro Português (Portuguese Theatre Grand Prize), an award that celebrates and promotes national dramaturgy, solidifying its central role in the country's theatrical culture.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt