Teatro Echegaray
Malaga boasts two magnificent theatres, and the Teatro Echegaray stands as the more intimate of the pair alongside the larger Teatro Cervantes.
You’ll find this charming venue tucked away on Calle Echegaray, a quiet street right in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre, close to the Cathedral and the Picasso museum.
The building opened its doors in 1932 as a cinema, serving the city’s residents for decades. Seventy-seven years later, it underwent a meticulous refurbishment that completely transformed it.
In October 2009, the Teatro Echegaray reopened as a fully functioning theatre, adding a valuable new performance space to Malaga’s cultural scene.
From cinema to theatre: Malaga’s cultural transformation
Architect Manuel Rivera Vera designed the original cinema as a grand building that captured the spirit of its era. When it first opened in 1932, visitors marvelled at its richly decorated foyer and stunning stained glass panels. These Art Deco features became defining characteristics of the building’s identity.
By the early 21st century, Malaga city council recognised that the aforementioned Teatro Cervantes couldn’t accommodate all the city’s theatrical productions. As a result, the council reached an agreement with the building’s owners to convert the former cinema into a working theatre.
This strategic decision would help relieve pressure on the Cervantes while preserving an essential piece of Malaga’s architectural heritage.
Where historic charm meets modern theatre design
The renovation team faced a delicate challenge: modernising the space while honouring its 1930s heritage. They succeeded brilliantly by restoring the foyer and façade using original materials wherever possible. The beautiful stained glass panels found new positions in the foyer, where they catch the light and welcome visitors as they did nearly a century ago.
Inside, the Teatro Echegaray reveals its thoroughly modern character. The theatre accommodates both traditional performances and innovative “in the round” productions, where the audience surrounds the performers on all sides. This flexibility stems from an adjustable stage area and seating arrangements that theatre staff can reconfigure or remove entirely, depending on each production’s specific needs.
The venue provides seating for 297 people across three levels: the platea (stalls or ground floor seating) and two palcos (tiered circles or balconies above). Advanced technical features support contemporary productions, including sophisticated lighting and sound systems that would have amazed the cinema’s original 1930s audiences.
A versatile venue for performing arts in Malaga
The refurbishment gave the Teatro Echegaray a new purpose as a flexible cultural space. Today, the venue hosts an impressive variety of performances that cater to diverse audiences across Andalucía and beyond.
Opera lovers can enjoy intimate productions in this historic setting, while theatre companies stage both classical and contemporary plays within its walls.
Musicians also perform concerts ranging from classical to modern genres, catering especially to families and young audiences.
The theatre serves an educational function, too, hosting activities and workshops for schools and community groups. Special events and festivals frequently utilise the venue’s distinctive atmosphere and central location in Malaga’s historic old town.
What’s on at the Teatro Echegaray
The theatre’s programme changes regularly throughout the year, featuring both local Andalusian productions and visiting companies from across Spain and beyond.
For information about current productions at the Teatro Echegaray and to book tickets for upcoming performances, visit the theatre’s official website here.
The Malaga Guru team comprises individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds who share a common bond – a deep affection for the city of Malaga, its rich culture and its warm-hearted inhabitants!