After nearly two decades closed, Cádiz's Teatro Pemán is back to life as the city's fourth public theater. This summer facility joins the Teatro Falla, the Teatro del Títere, and the Teatro de la Central Lechera, forming a cultural offering that will be strengthened, especially in light of issues like the air conditioning at the Falla.
The Deputy Mayor for Culture, Mayte González, highlights that the reconstruction of the Pemán has allowed for the creation of a versatile space, capable of hosting diverse types of performances thanks to its ample stage and the installation of mobile chairs in the stalls. This renovation aims to bring culture closer to citizens, complementing activities already taking place in other venues.
The opening of the Teatro Pemán will expand the annual programming of the Culture Department, which plans to open the space to various citizen collectives and, notably, to the University of Cádiz (UCA). The UCA contributed 1 million euros towards the renovation, which had a total cost of 2.2 million euros, and will use the theater as a forum for academic activities.
The theater, which closed in 2008 for modernization, shares a similar fate to the Pabellón Portillo, both affected by typical delays in public works. The theater's history dates back to 1892, with an initial hall in the Parque Genovés, which evolved into the Teatro José María Pemán in 1956, designed by Manuel Fernández Pujol.
Over the years, the venue hosted numerous performances, from concerts by artists like Serrat or Rafael to shows by the Russian Army Song and Dance Ensemble. After its closure in 2008, the reconstruction project faced cost increases and issues with awarded companies, delaying its reopening until today.
