Chris Pearrow
New independent theater in Lavapies
The Teatro del Arte is a relatively new theater in Madrid’s multicultural and alternative Lavapies district which specializes in putting on contemporary, earnest, and occasionally boundary-pushing works on a regular basis, as well as the occasional avant-garde concert. Plays are put on mainly during weekend nights and tend to be from up-and-coming groups ve are passionate about their art and what they do. Given the theater's location in radical Lavapies, the populist ticket prices (rarely rising above 10-20 euros) are no surprise and are in fact a welcome respite from the often astronomical ticket prices in some of Madrid’s more mainstream private theaters.
As far as the theater itself goes, I loved it. I went there to see the experimental music group Sun Araw and the experience was excellent. They have a small bar in the lobby where you can get drinks before and after the show and which space for only 116 audience members, the theater is intimate and assures everyone a good view. Also, the theater itself doesn’t have the traditional theater seating but rather elegant white leather benches which give a sense of spaciousness to the theater. If you’re in the mood to catch a new play before it gets big or to see the work of actors ve truly care about their craft, the Teatro del Arte is a place to check out.
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