Teatro Garrett

Teatro Garrett is a theater located in the city of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal.

Located around Largo David Alves in rua José Malgueira street (former rua da Senra street), Garrett was the first theater built for this porpoise in Póvoa de Varzim. Named in honor of famed 19th-century Portuguese playwright Almeida Garrett, who got inspiration to write his work Frei Luís de Sousa after watching a play in Póvoa. It opened on August 22, 1873 and was, by far, the theater with most longevity and social impact in the city and its vicinity. The current building is from 1890. In the middle of the 20th century, with the popularization of cinema, it became known as Cine-Teatro Garrett.

It is one of the most historic theaters in Portugal and some of the best performers of Portuguese drama staged there, such as João Villaret, Laura Alves, Ruy de Carvalho and the Brazilian Procópio Ferreira. Orchestras, tunas, variety shows and political meetings also staged in Garrett.

History

Theater in Póvoa de Varzim was already common entertainment by beach-goers in the summers of early 19th century. Almeida Garrett watched some and his work Frei Luís de Sousa was inspired by one of these plays he watched in Póvoa. Garrett Theater appeared by an initiative from a society of five citizens from the city of Porto, who were responsible for the construction of an elegant wood building in August 22, 1873.^[1]

The popularity of Póvoa de Varzim as a main beach resort in late 19th century, prompted the construction of the current building in 1890. It was a fundamental space for the Povoan society at the time, with impact felt also in Northern Portugal, that came to Póvoa for sea-baths, and several people watched plays, cinema and concerts in there, for the first time in their lives. Several good-will actions were organized in there.

In the early years of the 20th century, Póvoa was the preferential route for the great national and international artists, especially Spanish. it was in Póvoa that the stars of the period initiated their tour in Portugal. It was, in Northern Portugal, the location with more show venues, especially coffee houses with musical entertainment, the café-concerto. Each coffee house brought to Póvoa the best in music, drama, and dance. Garrett Theater was the great theater of this period. The national press highlighted the operetta companies, revue theatrical entertainment and zarzuela that were presented in there. Some of these companies included the Sociedade Artística de Lucinda Simões, Lisbon's Teatro Ginásio and Porto's Teatro Nacional presented in there quality plays, and some premiered in there.^[2]

References

1. ^ Baptista de Lima, João (2008). Póvoa de Varzim - Monografia e Materiais para a sua história. Na Linha do horizonte - Biblioteca Poveira CMPV. 
2. ^ Azevedo, José de (2007). Poveirinhos pela Graça de Deus. Na Linha do horizonte - Biblioteca Poveira CMPV.