Theatre Havana Travel Guides | Havana | Arts and Entertainment | Theatre Havana

Drama, opera, classical concerts and fringe theatre can all be found, although you should be aware that all works are in Spanish. Theatres mushroomed in the 19th century when Havana attracted artistes from all over the world. After the Revolution, the Teatro Nacional was founded, which gave theatre a boost. Between 1959 and 1961 124 new plays were staged. Virgilio Piñera was one of the leading playwrights of the 20th century, but during the 1960s other names proliferated, such as José Brene, Héctor Quintero, Antón Arrufat, Nicolás Dorr and Carlos Felipe. Experimentation was the order of the day, notably for the Teatro Escambray, which took theatre out into the countryside for a campesino audience. Other companies were the Teatro Estudio, Teatro Político Bertold Brecht and the Grupo Rita Montaner.

Drama festivals were started in the 1980s and have been important in introducing ideas from visiting international theatre companies. There are many small drama companies struggling to put on performances with limited funds for costumes, scenery and props, but the acting and direction are faultless. Look out for theatre groups such as Teatro Obstáculo (La Cuarta Pared, Opera Ciega, Segismundo ex-marqués, El Arca), Teatro Irrumpe (Dos Viejos Pánicos, La Noche), Teatro el Público (Té y simpatía, El Público, Calígula), Teatro Mío (Manteca, Delirio Habanero) and Buendía (La Cándida Eréndira, Las Ruinas Circulares, Roberto Zucco). Plays range from European classics to avant-garde or worthy revolutionary material, but contemporary works are not above having a dig at current social problems.

The Orquesta Sinfonía Nacional is probably the best in the Caribbean, but all classical musicians in Cuba are hindered by a lack of decent instruments. International orchestras frequently play in Havana and you can see some excellent, world-famous musicians for a pittance. Amistur travel agency, can help with theatre bookings.

Amadeo Roldán, Calzada y D, Vedado, T 8321168. Fabulously renovated concert hall, Sala Caturla, where you can hear the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional and visiting international symphony orchestras, including several from the USA. Pay in pesos.

Gran Teatro de la Habana, Prado y San José, on Parque Central next to Hotel Inglaterra, T 8613078, bic@gth.cult.cu US$10. As well as ballet in the García Lorca auditorium (see Dance), there is drama in the Antonín Artaud and Alejo Carpentier studio theatres.

Teatro Karl Marx, Av 1 entre 8 y 10, Miramar, T 230801/ 291991. Renovated in 2000 and now famous for hosting the first rock concert by a Western band, Manic Street Preachers, who played here in 2001 in the presence of Fidel Castro.

Teatro Nacional de Cuba, Paseo y 39, Vedado, T 8335713. Quite an entertainment centre this, with lots going on all the time. Downstairs in the theatre there are live concerts such as a Nueva Trova shows for 10 pesos. There is a piano bar El Delirio Habanero, and club, Café Cantante, in the basement.

Sala Hubert de Blanck, Calzada entre A y B, Vedado, T 8335962. Specializes in classical and contemporary music concerts, but has also staged major works by García Lorca and Cuban playwright Abelardo Estorino, as well as contemporary dance companies, Danzabierta and Danza Contemporánea.

Teatro El Sótano, K entre 25 y 27, Vedado, T 8320630. Shows contemporary drama, somewhere to find fringe theatre and home of the Rita Montaner Company.

Travel Guides | Havana | Arts and Entertainment | Theatre Havana
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