The Cervantes Theatre in London reinvents itself through COVID-19

The Cervantes Theatre in London, the only Spanish theatre in the UK, has reinvented itself by offering online dramatised readings following the closure of the theatre after the arrival of the COVID-19.

The Spanish theatre was born in a former London garage in 2016 and since then has tried to spread the cultural beauty of many Spanish-speaking dramas through works by Spanish and Latin American authors translated into English, thus reaching the Anglo-Saxon world. 

The arrival of the pandemic has given Spanish theatre a new form of online dissemination. " While 80 spectators (theatre space) used to watch our work, we have now reached around 500 spectators," explained Jorge de Juan, founder and artistic director of the Cervantes Theatre, to Efe.

"The company could not remain inactive", "we needed to continue offering theatre", said Paula Paz, deputy director of the Spanish theatre. 

"We created a cycle of ten dramatised readings," scheduled to last until December, "and thanks to the Spanish cultural action we have been able to record them and broadcast this hybrid between 'cinema and theatre' online," added the assistant director.

"This is something that is going to remain; if everything goes well next year, we will continue along this line", commented the theatre's founder, for whom this new platform of dissemination brings the plays to an English-speaking world beyond the United Kingdom. 

However, the COVID-19 has been devastating for culture, especially for theatre companies, which survive, in part, thanks to their audiences.

At present, actors, directors and managers are involved in rehearsals for the forthcoming online premiere next November 12th of 'La función por hacer', a play by Miguel del Arco and Aitor Tejada. Those responsible for the theatre hope to be able to open the doors of this old garage converted into art in early 2021.