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The Gil Vicente Theatre reopened its doors on Saturday, 14 March, marking the beginning of a new chapter for one of Cascais’ most emblematic cultural venues. The first performance presented in this renovated space was “Return to Gil Vicente”, staged by the Dramatic Group of the Cascais Volunteer Fire Brigade, which will return on 21, 27 and 28 March, as well as on 17 and 26 April.
The reopening follows an investment of €350,000, used to upgrade the stage rigging and sound and lighting systems, as well as to carry out essential maintenance work, including cleaning, repairs, and the repainting of the façades and roof.
The intervention aimed to improve the venue’s technical conditions and ensure greater efficiency in its day-to-day operation, without compromising the building’s heritage value. At the same time, it will help reduce running costs, ensure more sustainable management of the facility, and create the conditions needed to host more demanding projects.
The reopening was celebrated with “Return to Gil Vicente”, a production directed by Luís Lourenço, which marks the return of the Portuguese "revista" to the stage, combining humour, music and social commentary in a proposal designed to reconnect audiences with a genre deeply rooted in the history of theatre in Cascais.
Inaugurated in 1869, the Gil Vicente Theatre retains an intimate scale, with 273 seats distributed between the stalls and the balcony, fostering close proximity between performers and audiences. Over more than 150 years, it has established itself as a central stage in the town’s cultural life, preserving the spirit of popular theatre. Beyond its artistic programming, the venue maintains a direct connection with the local community, contributing to the support of the Cascais Volunteer Fire Brigade, which reinforces its role beyond the cultural sphere.
Rua Gomes Freire, 5 (Cascais)