Corral de comedias Facts for Kids

A Corral de comedias (which means "theatrical courtyard") is a special kind of open-air theater from Spain. In Spanish, all plays were once called comedias, even if they were serious dramas or sad tragedies. These theaters became very popular in the early 16th century during Spain's Golden Age of art and literature. Plays were usually held in the afternoon and lasted a few hours. There were hardly any breaks, and the show was continuous, often including songs and dances. People sat in different areas based on their social status and whether they were male or female.

History of Spanish Courtyard Theaters
- Corrales in the Americas
- Similarities to English Theaters
Theater Design and Seating
How Performances Worked
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History of Spanish Courtyard Theaters

In the 1500s, the first buildings made for theater shows appeared in Spain. Before that, plays were often performed in the courtyards of houses or inns. A simple stage was set up on one side. The other three sides became balconies for richer people. Everyone else watched the play from the open courtyard below.

This courtyard design was kept when permanent theaters were built from the late 1500s onwards. These new theaters were called corrales de comedias. They used the natural rectangular shape of an open courtyard found within a block of houses. Famous Spanish writers like Lope de Vega and Pedro Calderón de la Barca wrote plays for these theaters.

The very first permanent corral theater, called Corral de la Cruz, was built in Madrid in 1579. More theaters quickly popped up after 1600. People loved this new form of entertainment! The oldest corral that still exists today, though it has changed a lot, is the Corral de comedias de Alcalá de Henares. It was once an open courtyard but later got a roof and was used as a romantic theater and even a cinema.

The last known courtyard theater built in Spain is the Corral de comedias de Almagro. It was built in 1628 in Almagro, Castile-La Mancha. This is the only corral theater still working today! Every year, it hosts the International Classical Theatre Festival. Recently, parts of another corral were found in Torralba de Calatrava.

Corrales in the Americas

This unique Spanish theater style also spread to other parts of the world. A corral de comedias was built in Tecali de Herrera, Mexico, around 1540. This shows how far Spanish culture traveled.

Similarities to English Theaters

Spanish corrales are quite similar to Elizabethan theatres in England. In England, plays were also performed in courtyards of inns that had galleries. The George Inn in London is an example of such a place, with some parts still standing.

Not only were the buildings similar, but sometimes the plays themselves had connections. Spanish stories were translated into English during William Shakespeare's time. For example, Shakespeare's company performed a play called Cardenio in 1613. It seems this play was based on a part of the famous Spanish novel Don Quixote.

Even though Shakespeare's plays weren't translated into Spanish until the 1700s, his works are now performed in corrales. In 2016, which was 400 years after the deaths of both Miguel de Cervantes (who wrote Don Quixote) and Shakespeare, there were Shakespeare plays in the corrales of Almagro and Alcalá de Henares.

Theater Design and Seating

The stage was always at one end of the courtyard, against the back wall. In front of the stage was the open patio. This is where the "musketeers" (common men) stood. The balconies and windows of the nearby houses were used as special seating areas. These were reserved for noble men and women.

In Madrid, above the main women's seating area (called the cazuela), there were special boxes. These were for important officials like councilors. On the very top floors were small rooms called desvanes (attics). One of these was often for church officials.

A roof-like structure protected the stage and side galleries. A large awning was hung over the patio. This protected the audience from the sun. It also helped the sound travel better, making it easier to hear the actors. This was similar to how Elizabethan theaters were set up.

In the very early corrales, there were no toilets. Later, some theaters had to close because they weren't very clean. There was also a risk of fire or disorder. As a new middle class grew, people wanted more comfortable places to watch plays. This led to the building of larger, enclosed theaters with better sound.

How Performances Worked

During Spain's Golden Age, any play was called a comedia. People flocked to these shows, whether they were funny, serious, or sad. The theater season usually started on Easter Sunday and ended on Ash Wednesday. Smoking was not allowed because of the fire risk.

The plays started at different times depending on the season. In winter, they began at 2 PM. In spring, at 3 PM, and in summer, at 4 PM. This was so the show could finish before the sun went down. A performance could last about four to six hours! It was divided into several parts. There was an opening act, then a snack break, followed by more acts and dances.

Men and women were not allowed to sit together. Men stood in the courtyard or sat on benches. Women watched from their special cazuelas areas above. The only place they could be together was in the chamber corridors. Children were not allowed to attend the plays.

The audience paid fees at different points. They paid to enter, then a small tip to the theater's charity, and a third fee for a comfortable seat. The acting company usually received less than 20% of the total money. In towns with universities, plays were not allowed on weekdays. This was to make sure students focused on their studies.

Two important people were always recognized in the corrales. The mozo was like a security guard. He carried a large stick to calm down any excited audience members. The "spacer" helped people find a good spot to sit or stand. The first rules for how corrales should operate were made for Madrid's theaters. These rules later applied to the whole country. They included having an officer present. This officer made sure there was no noise or trouble. They also ensured men and women stayed separated in their seating areas.