Overview

El Teatro de la Ciudad, in English the City Theatre, started life as the Betancourt Theatre in 1877, known locally as the Betancourt and built by Spanish businessman Eduardo Albafull. It was destroyed by fire in July 1904.

Six years later, Eduardo Albafull rebuilt and opened a new theatre on the site in 1910, called El Centenario (The Centenary/Centennial) in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the independence of Mexico of 1810.

Both theatres were devoted to the performing arts. In 1938 El Centenario succumbed to fire.

In 1946, construction of a combination movie and performance theatre was begun on the site. The new theatre opened in mid-March 1947 as Teatro-Cine Colonial (English: Colonial Cinema/Theatre) and was designed in the Atmospheric style. Seating capacity was 3,400.

The auditorium’s design has some Moorish elements however is predominantly a model Spanish village with a leaning toward Spanish cathedrals.

The Colonial was one of the most popular cinemas of its time as it offered popular prices for Mexican cinema from the golden age, yet there was also space for children to attend matinees. While it was popular for movies, the theatre also staged important plays.

The Colonial closed its doors in 1992, largely due Mexico’s economic crisis of the time.

The theatre was acquired by the City of Chihuahua in 2000. It was subsequently restored and remodeled into a performing arts center, and reopened as the Teatro de la Ciudad. The theatre’s opening in early October 2001 featured a concert by the Chihuahua State Philharmonic Orchestra and the Monumental Choir of the Chihuahua Music Conservatory. The theatre seats just over 850.