Theatre History Overview - Part 40 - Argentinian Theatre

The first theatre to open in Argentina was the Teatro de Operas y Comedias (Opera and Comedy Theatre) in Buenos Aries in 1757. Pedro Aguiar, a shoemaker of Spanish origin provided the funds for the theatre. A máquina real (literally “royal machine”) was installed by Domingo Saccomano, an Italian flautist and puppeteer. It was used for producing operas with string puppets and large overhead rod marionettes (French: tringle). Between 1757 and 1759, some acrobats came through Argentina through different countries and helped out the theatre in Buenos Aries.

In 1793, Viceroy Vértiz, the Viceroy of Lights, promoted the establishment of The La Ranchería Theater, the first House of Comedy. In 1789, Siripo by Manuel José de Lavardén premiered there. Siripo is regarded as the first play by an Argentinian playwright. Then, in 1792, The La Ranchería Theater burned down.

In 1806, José Cortés gave a shadow puppet theatre performance at the first inauguration of Teatro Coliseo. After that, he started renting a hall for his marionette shows. In 1808, he opened the Teatro del Sol (Sun Theatre). During the first half of the 1820s, puppet theatre was active in Buenos Aries, although it moved to many different places. Then in 1827, the first amusement park opened in Argentina. It had a space for a circus that would allow 1500 spectators. When Victoria Theatre opened in 1838, the amusement park closed.

While the amusement park was closed, a circus still appeared in Argentina in 1884. During the circus, there was a performance of a guachesco drama called Juan Moreira. However, the play was not complete. José Podestá completed it and the theatrical play premiered on April 10, 1886. The play ran for the people of Argentina until Calandria by Martiniano Leguizamón premiered in 1896.

By the early 20th century, theatre activity in Argentina was intense. There were thirteen theatres in Buenos Aries and ten of them were occupied by foreign companies. Stage plays by Argentian natives flourished as did puppet theatre and dance. There was no indication of theatre slowing downin Argentina in the second half of the 20th century. Today, Buenos Aries is considered one of the great world capitals of theatre.

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