Teatro Apolo (Madrid) facts for kids
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| Address | Calle de Alcalá 45 Madrid Spain |
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| Capacity | 2,200 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1871–73 |
| Opened | 23 March 1873 |
| Closed | 30 June 1929 |
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The Teatro Apolo was a famous theatre in Madrid, Spain. It was located on a street called Calle de Alcalá. Today, a different building stands where the theatre used to be.
Contents
What Was the Teatro Apolo?
The Teatro Apolo was a very important theatre in Madrid for many years. It was known for its lively shows and was a popular spot for people to enjoy plays and music.
Building a Grand Theatre
Before the theatre was built, there was an old building called the Convento de San Hermenegildo on the same spot. This old building was sold in 1836 and taken down in 1870.
The construction of the Teatro Apolo started in 1871 and finished in 1873. Two French architects, P. Chauderlot and F. Festau, designed the theatre. It was a very large building, able to hold about 2,500 people!
Opening Night and Early Days
The Teatro Apolo first opened its doors on March 23, 1873. A famous acting group led by an actor named Manuel Catalina performed there.
At first, the theatre had some tough times. It was a bit far from the main part of the city back then, and tickets were quite expensive. Because of this, not as many people came to the shows.
The Home of Género Chico
Even with a slow start, the Teatro Apolo soon became very popular. It was one of the most important places for a special kind of Spanish theatre called género chico. This was a new type of show that became very popular in Madrid. Género chico plays were short, usually only one act, and often included music and comedy. They were fun and easy to watch, which made the Apolo a favorite spot for many people.
The End of an Era
The Teatro Apolo closed its doors for good on June 30, 1929. A large bank, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, bought the theatre. They tore it down to build their main office in Madrid.
Today, the building on that site is used by the City of Madrid's Department of Finance and Administration. Even though the original Teatro Apolo is gone, its owners went on to build another theatre nearby, which is now called the Teatro Nuevo Apolo.
Images for kids
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The historic Teatro Apolo building.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Apolo (Madrid) para niños
