Joaquim Benite Municipal Theatre

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Theatre

District: Setúbal > Almada > Cova da Piedade > Caranguejais

Location

The Joaquim Benite Municipal Theatre is located in the Caranguejais area, part of the locality of Cova da Piedade, in the municipality of Almada. This cultural space is situated in an urban environment, predominantly residential, characterized by buildings erected mainly in the 1970s. Its architecture harmoniously follows the natural slope of the land where it is located.

A Building of Singular Architecture

Inaugurated in July 2005, the Joaquim Benite Municipal Theatre stands out for its contemporary architecture, designed by architects Manuel Graça Dias and Egas José Vieira. Its facade, with a distinctive blue hue, earned it the informal nickname of the "Blue Theatre". The building's design was conceived in four distinct sections, each with a specific function, integrating thoughtfully into the surrounding urban fabric.

Cultural Vocation and Dynamism

This cultural facility was built from scratch to be the home of the Companhia de Teatro de Almada (Almada Theatre Company), a structure with a consolidated presence in the city since 1978. The theatre features a Main Auditorium, configured in an amphitheater style, with a capacity of 370 people, expandable to 442 seats, and includes an orchestra pit and advanced stage facilities. Complementarily, there is an Experimental Auditorium, with a configurable stage and a variable capacity of up to 200 seats, allowing for different performance formats.

In addition to the stage areas, the building integrates spaces such as a rehearsal room, a café-concert venue, a bookstore, and an exhibition gallery, enriching the cultural experience for visitors. Since 2006, the Joaquim Benite Municipal Theatre has maintained a consistent annual program, affirming its importance in the region's cultural life. In 2022, its relevance was further recognized with its integration into the Network of Portuguese Theatres and Cine-Theatres, under the purview of the Directorate-General for the Arts.

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