The ''Teatro Apolo'', initially called ''Teatro do Príncipe Real'', was a theatre in the Portuguese capital of

Lisbon Lisbon (; pt, Lisboa ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 544,851 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km2. Grande Lisboa, Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administr ...

, opened in 1866. It was named in honour of the future King Dom Carlos when he was just three years old. In 1910, with the fall of the monarchy, its name was changed to ''Teatro Apolo''. In 1957 the theatre was demolished.

History

The theatre was built by Francisco Ruas on the corner of Rua Fernandes da Fonseca and Rua da Palma in the parish of Santa Justa. He had originally built a hall, which he named as the Vauxhall Hall, and held

masquerade balls A masquerade ball (or ''bal masqué'') is an event in which many participants attend in costume wearing a mask. (Compare the word "masque"—a formal written and sung court pageant.) Less formal "costume parties" may be a descendant of this tra ...

there. This proved unprofitable and he changed its name to Meyerbeer Hall, where concerts were performed, with even worse results. His third effort, the ''Teatro do Príncipe Real'', was inaugurated in 1866 with two comedies, ''Dois Pobres e Uma Porta'' (Two poor people and a door) in three acts, and the one-act ''Muito Padece quem Ama'' (Whoever loves suffers much). At that time, it was common to perform more than one play as part of a show. The theatre had a popular appeal, distinguishing it from many other Lisbon theatres that had a more bourgeois outlook. One of the best-known actors to perform regularly at the theatre was

Adelina Abranches Adelina Abranches (15 August 1866 – 21 November 1945) was a Portuguese stage actress born in Lisbon. She was considered a child prodigy, performing roles on stage at the age of four. She is notable for her acting career in Rio de Janeiro. Ov ...

who was married to Luís Ruas, grandson of the original owner. Other well-known performers included José Carlos dos Santos and the Italian

Ernesto Rossi Ernesto Rossi may refer to: * Ernesto Rossi (actor) (1827–1896), Italian actor * Ernesto Rossi (politician) (1897–1967), Italian politician and anti-fascist activist * Ernesto Rossi (gangster) (1903–1931), Italian-American gangster {{hndis, ...

, as well as Maria das Dores, Emília de Oliveira, Maria Alves, Ângela Pinto,

António Pedro António Pedro da Costa (9 December 1909, in Portuguese Cape Verde, Santiago, Praia – 17 August 1966, in Caminha, Moledo, Portugal) was a Portuguese painter, potter, journalist and writer. Biography He was born to a prominent colonial family f ...

, Virgínia Dias da Silva, Luísa Fialho, Carolina Falco, and Tomásia Veloso. Little detailed information about shows and performers is available as many of the archives were lost when the building was demolished.

Name change

Following the

5 October 1910 Revolution The 5 October 1910 revolution was the overthrow of the centuries-old Portuguese monarchy and its replacement by the First Portuguese Republic. It was the result of a ''coup d'état'' organized by the Portuguese Republican Party. By 1910, the K ...

, when the Portuguese monarchy was overthrown, many organizations and buildings in Portugal that had been named after royal family members were renamed. The ''Teatro do Príncipe Real'' became the ''Teatro Apolo''. The ''Teatro Apolo'' was demolished in 1957, not because of its lack of popularity but because of an urban renewal programme that saw the demolition of all neighbouring buildings. This demolition had been under consideration for some time as a 1938 publication reported seeing a sign saying "For Demolition" outside the theatre.

References

{{stack, {{Portal, Portugal Theatres in Lisbon Theatres completed in 1866 Demolished buildings and structures in Portugal Buildings and structures demolished in 1957