Theaters in Lima

The Teatro Municipal was initially inaugurated in 1920 under the name of Teatro Forero. In 1929 the Municipality of Lima bought the theater and renamed it Teatro Municpal. For years, it was the pride of the local performing-arts scene and the primary spot for theater, ballet, opera, and symphony performances. In August 1998 a devastating fire destroyed big parts of the building. For 10 years plans for a rebuilt were on hold, but finally in 2008 the municipality announced the reconstruction of the famous theater. In October 2010 after a 2 year restoration following the original design the Teatro Municipal was re-inaugurated even more beautiful and with the newest technology implemented. The repertoire for 2011 includes in April the Requiem of Verdi, in May The Barber of Seville with Peru’s famous tenor Juan Diego Flores, in June the Prelude of The West Side Story, in July The West Side Story, in August Il Trovatore and La Boheme, in September the opera Luisa Fernanda, in October Romeo and Juliet performed by the Municipal Ballet, in November the Grupo Integro with 25 Años and in December the seasons is ended by the Municipal Ballet with The Nutcracker.

The Teatro Maguey, one of the most important theater groups in the country, was founded in 1982. The main aim was and still is to offer a space where all age groups can develop identity, imagination, creativity, expressiveness and communication skills through art and play. The theater offers always on Saturdays and Sundays various presentations and plays for everybody. Additionally the group runs workshops in different areas like music, theater and circus...

La Tarumba was founded in 1984 with the idea to combine theater, circus and music but at the same time educate and entertain. A great success: the Tarumba is the most recognized Circus Theater in Peru. Today the Tarumba presents yearly two amazing, creative and innovative shows that are definitely worth a visit. Not only artist from La Tarumba show their impressive skills but as well circus, theater and dance groups from different countries. With the goal to achieve integrated development of children and young adults of all social backgrounds in Peru La Tarumba offers fantastic workshops and classes in music, theatrics, clowning and everything regarding circus. Hard work but also great fun...

The Segura Theater, or better the theatrical groups it developed from, is believed to be the oldest cultural institution in Latin America and represents a major part of the Peruvian cultural history. It was always an important theater in Lima and well respected for its professional work. The theater was opened in 1909 under the name Teatro Municipal and renamed 1929 to Teatro Segura (after the great local dramatist Manuel Ascencio Segura, 1805 -1871). Later a new Teatro Municipal was established and remained the place in town for drama, opera and ballet. After a devastating fire in 1998 it had to be closed down (still awaiting reconstruction). As a result the Teatro Segura once again became Limas major theater. The yearly program of the Segura includes brilliant theater and dance performances. Worth a visit are the amazing opera, ballet and modern dance presentations.

The French Cultural Center in Lima is well known for their excellent and professional theatrical plays. For information on their actual program, dates and times check out their Web page.

The Teatro Britanico is part of the British Cultural Center in Lima and stages professional theatrical performances with well known actors of the local scene. The group was created in 1949 with the intention of promoting British theater in Lima and bringing together those interested in acting and all further aspects of the theater. From 1983 onwards the theater began to be used by various independent professional theater companies. From this time onward the British Theater stages plays not only from British playwrights but works from writers other countries too. The Association has always been keenly interested in promoting the theater in Peru.

The Cultural Center PUCP belongs to the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. It offers an inviting space to think, approach arts, meditate and work intellectually. The theater presents great professional performances. The plays are always amazing and with a special innovating style. Tickets can be bought at the booking office at below mentioned address or in Wong and Metro (big supermarkets with many outlets in Lima) at the Teleticket booths.

The Casa Yuyachkani is one of the important cultural centers in Lima. They do significant cultural work for Peru. Presented are innovative, amazing and challenging theatrical performances and unbelievable dance performances. Most presentations have their origin in the Andean world. Additionally workshops on other subjects like theater, painting, masks, pottery and many more are offered and run by well known local artists.

The Theater of the San Marcos University is part of the Centro Cultural de la Universidad San Marcos (Cultural Center of the University San Marcos). The theater is well known for its innovative and striking theater and the ballet presentations. Worth mentioning are their music and folklore events.

The famous Argentine actor and producer Osvaldo Cattone is the director of the Teatro Marsano in Miraflores. The presented plays (mostly comedies) are always of typical South American style with its humor, irony and sarcasm. Great performances!

The theater belongs to the Peruvian-Japanese Cultural Center. Presented are a wide range of different performances like ballet, creole theater (creole comes from the Spanish criollo meaning native), children theater and other national and international plays.

The Kusi Kusi Teatro de Titeres is the most significant and respected marionette theater in Peru. Vicky Morales, the director of the Kusi Kusi, shows lovely plays mostly on Sunday mornings at the Cabaña in the Parque de la Exposición. With an enormous dedication to this kind of theater she offers wonderful workshops for children, teens and adults. For more info check the Web page of the Kusi Kusi.

Pataclaun was born more than 10 years ago in Lima when a group of anxious university students performed a play on how to manage a theater. Nowadays, grown up and much more professional, they present innovative and entertaining clown performances in a well equipped theater (even if it doesn't look like from the outside). The group also offers classes where the students find a space to discover the world of being a clown themselves.

The Teatro Moche Graña mainly gives young talents the opportunity to stage self written and self directed plays to become known in Lima's theater scene. On Saturday afternoon’s shows for children are presented.

The Teatro Canout is a fine small theater that presents excellent plays. Performances are Saturdays and Sundays.

The Auditorio Miraflores is an excellent small theater that presents professional and impressive plays for young and old. Together with many others the theater group Aqualuna presents plays in the Auditorio Miraflores. Aqualuna was founded in 1991 by actors, playwrights, musicians and professionals in social sciences and communication. The group mainly stages plays with Peruvian and Latin American background, which always receive excellent critiques.

The Satchmo Café Concert, is mostly known for its great music and dance presentations, live bands and jazz. Besides it stages fantastic theatrical plays. On Saturdays and Sundays the Teatro Satchmo often puts humorous, infantile and family shows on stage.

The Teatro La Plaza Isil is a respected cultural establishment in Lima located at the basement of the Larcomar Commercial Center in Miraflores. They present great theatrical plays.

Even if the outside of the theater doesn't look like it, the Teatro Julieta presents lovely staged plays mainly for kids. If you book a play in advance for a group of kids they offer special discounts.

The Teatro de Cámara is a Cultural Center with more than 15 years experience which promotes art and entertainment in Lima. They present new and creative performances for professionals of the art scene and fans. The theater school gives beginners and professionals the opportunity to develop their theatrical skills. Additionally the Cámara Theater offers workshops regarding music theater, painting, origami, dance and more for children, teens and adults.

The Theater Club of Lima houses the oldest drama school in Lima. Since its foundation in 1953 the Club de Teatro de Lima offers theatrical classes. Their teachers are all well known actors themselves. On a regular base, mostly Saturdays and Sundays, they present different plays.

Edgar Guillén is one of the last grand actors from the golden era of Peruvian theater. To communicate with him and to see one of his performances is like going back in time with all his typical confessions and irony. He is still the blunt provocateur. Great, if you like this style of theater. Unfortunately he finally closed his house for theater performances, but he is still available for 'theater deliveries'.

In the Sala Teatral Preludio all sorts of theatrical performances are put on stage. They present theater classics, modern theater plays, theater for children and more.

The Teatro Colon in Lima was once a very luxurious and respected theater. In the 1950s it became a cinema, later in the 1980s a porn movie theater and unfortunately deteriorated rapidly until it was closed in 2003. The beautiful refurbished facade of the old Teatro Colon awaits a new role in Limas cultural scene. Hopefully it will house in the near future another Cultural Center.