On 8 July 1926, Variedades Theatre opened its doors in Parque Mayer. A century later, the theatre is marking this landmark anniversary with a special programme of events, including a guided tour, dance, theatre and film, celebrating the legacy of one of Lisbon’s most iconic performance venues.

The celebrations begin at 1:30 pm with a guided tour of the theatre, giving visitors the opportunity to discover backstage areas, stage access routes and other spaces that are not usually open to the public. Places are limited and advance booking is required.

In the late afternoon, the book 100 Years of Variedades, by Paula Gomes Magalhães and published by Imprensa Nacional–Casa da Moeda, will be launched, followed by the opening of the exhibition A Place Called Variedades, co-produced by Variedades Theatre and the Museum of Lisbon. The exhibition will be on view until 15 August 2027.

The programme continues with AXIS, a vertical dance performance staged on the theatre’s façade, and culminates with the premiere of VARIEDADES (…like a comic, erotic and satirical opera), an original production created to mark the theatre’s centenary, which will run until 16 August.

The day concludes with a screening of The Park of Illusions (1963), directed by Perdigão Queiroga, as part of Faces of Variedades – A Film Season. Set in the world of Parque Mayer and starring some of the most celebrated figures of Portuguese theatre at the time, the film will be shown in a recently digitised print by the Portuguese Cinematheque. Admission is free, subject to venue capacity.

Opened in 1926, Variedades Theatre was for decades one of the leading stages of Lisbon’s cultural life. Its history is closely intertwined with that of Parque Mayer, the Portuguese teatro de revista tradition, and several generations of artists who helped shape the city’s cultural memory. One hundred years after its inauguration, Variedades Theatre celebrates its past while reaffirming its role in the present and future of artistic creation in Lisbon.

The full programme and information on how to attend each event are available on the event page: Variedades Theatre 100th Anniversary – Variedades Theatre & Capitólio.