Teatro Fernán Gómez Explained

Teatro Fernán Gómez
Former Names:Centro Cultural de la Villa de Madrid
Address:Plaza de Colón 4
Location:Madrid, Spain
Coordinates:40.425°N -3.6894°W
Type:Public theatre
Capacity:Sala Guirau: 689
Sala Jardiel Poncela: 95–175

The Teatro Fernán Gómez (previously Centro Cultural de la Villa de Madrid) is a theatre and cultural centre in Madrid, Spain.

History

Located near the Plaza de Colón in the Jardines del Descubrimiento, the theatre was inaugurated on 15 May 1977.[1] Since its early days, its programme has featured plays by both classical and contemporary authors, as well as other events such as concerts and exhibitions.[2]

In 2007, the theatre adopted the name of actor and author Fernando Fernán Gómez, who had died that year.[3] In September 2013, the City Council of Madrid dismissed the director of the theatre and announced its intention to privatize its management, sparking outrage in the cultural world.[4] The council eventually conceded.[5]

Structure

The theatre has three rooms. The main one, Sala Guirau, has a capacity for 682 people. The secondary Sala Jardiel Poncela (also known simply as Sala Dos) can accommodate up to 175 people.[6] The third room is an exhibition hall (Sala de exposiciones) with a surface area of 2000m2.[7]

Other uses

The theatre has hosted funerals of celebrated artists on several occasions throughout the years, with those of Lola Flores (1995),[8] Rocío Jurado (2006),[9] and Tony Leblanc (2012)[10] being notable examples.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hoy estrena Madrid la nueva Plaza de Colón. ABC. 15 May 1977. es. 6 July 2020.
  2. La escena madrileña en la transición política (1975-1982). Teatro: revista de estudios teatrales. 1993. Pérez. Manuel. es. 23. 3–4.
  3. Web site: El centro cultural de la Villa se llamará Teatro Fernando Fernán- Gómez. 20minutos. 22 November 2007. es. 6 July 2020.
  4. Web site: El Ayuntamiento de Madrid quiere privatizar el teatro Fernán Gómez. El País. 27 September 2013. García Gallo. Bruno. es. 6 July 2020.
  5. Web site: El Ayuntamiento niega que pretenda privatizar el Teatro Fernán Gómez. zonaretiro.com. 15 November 2013. es. 6 July 2020.
  6. Web site: Teatro Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa - Madrid. www.todosalteatro.com. es. 6 July 2020.
  7. Web site: Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa. www.madridcultura.es. es. 6 July 2020.
  8. Web site: España pierde a su artista más popular. El País. 17 May 1995. Castilla. Amelia. García. Rocío. es. 6 July 2020.
  9. Web site: Despedida de los ciudadanos a Rocío Jurado. El Mundo. 1 June 2006. Vicente. Sandra. es. 6 July 2020.
  10. Web site: La capilla ardiente de Tony Leblanc, fallecido a los 90 años, abierta al público. www.que.es. 25 November 2012. es. 6 July 2020. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121128095420/http://www.que.es/ultimas-noticias/espana/201211251114-capilla-ardiente-tony-leblanc-fallecido-cont.html. 28 November 2012.