The Guimerá Theatre is set to close for a period of up to three years, the anticipated duration for the extensive rehabilitation and complete overhaul of this iconic building in the capital, which will be undertaken by the City Council of Santa Cruz in conjunction with the Government of the Canary Islands and the Cabildo.
Although the renovations are scheduled to commence next July, it has been determined by the Municipal Area of Culture that as of March 31, this cultural venue will cease all activities. This is necessary to allow time for the complete clearing of the venue, as well as the inventory and assessment of all movable assets and other items housed within the theatre, announced Santiago Díaz, the area’s mayor, yesterday.
The council leader clarified that “during these three months, we will need to remove the chairs, curtains, lighting, and sound equipment from the theatre to evaluate which items can be repurposed in Space R, located at La Recav, which is 12 × 8 metres in size. Additionally, retractable seating will be installed at this location, where artistic performances will take place starting in the last quarter of this year.”
He further mentioned that part of the programme will be relocated to community centres in the Anaga, Southwest, and Costa Sur districts, where technical enhancements will also be made. Other activities will take place in outdoor areas across the city. The closure of the Guimerá is not a catastrophe, and Santa Cruz will remain culturally vibrant, as venues such as the auditorium (which is due for renovation) and Teatro La Victoria, among others, will continue to host performing arts events.
Regarding the storage of the movable items removed from the Guimerá, Díaz stated, “some items will be housed in municipal warehouses, while others will undergo restoration. However, those deemed worthy of conservation, as they are classified as cultural assets (BIC), will be preserved in the Foyer or mirror room of the theatre, which will remain unaffected by the renovations. Moreover, we aim to showcase historical artefacts that have survived from the original Guimerá.”
Guimerá Treasures
In this context, the mayor elaborated that “the protected items within the theatre are truly remarkable treasures, which will be displayed, although a specific location has yet to be determined, to ensure the public can appreciate them and remember that Guimerá is still very much alive.” A catalogue of nearly 300 pieces has been compiled, encompassing hand-painted historical curtains featuring jungle and palace motifs, vintage usher uniforms, the original chair from the theatre’s opening, authentic wall sconces, antique coloured spotlights, and even the marble plaque from Ángel Guimerá’s residence.
Concerning the restoration work planned for this property, the mayor emphasised that “this will involve renewing the interior of the theatre, including its structure and furnishings. Additionally, two lifts will be installed, one for the public and another for the performance companies, ensuring the building meets universal accessibility standards.”
The restrooms will be renovated, air conditioning will be added, and the entire seating area will be refurbished. Furthermore, the box office will be relocated to its original position at the main entrance, and areas affected by damp and termites will be repaired, impacting both wooden structures and the walls as well as decorative paintings.
