THE CURTAIN RISES ONCE AGAIN
Teatro Pereyra regains its splendour and looks to the future
FROM HISTORIC THEATRE TO MULTIFUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE VENUE
Originally inaugurated in 1899, Ibiza’s Teatro Pereyra is a cultural landmark that has played a key role in the island’s social, cultural and artistic development. After several decades out of use and following a comprehensive renovation, it has now regained all its former splendour.
Founded by Commander Vicente Pereira, entrepreneur Abel Matutes and merchant Josep Tarrés, its more than 125 years of history have earned it the distinction of being the social and cultural epicentre of Ibiza. Part of the collective memory of many generations of islanders, it was the first theatre on the island, hosting theatrical performances, film screenings and even conferences, and became a legendary performance venue.
Renovation and Restoration
In 1987, the theatre closed its doors and fell into almost four decades of neglect. With the aim of restoring it to its former glory, renovation works began in 2010, after it was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2006, in a project carried out by Estudio Vila 13.
The restoration process, which lasted several years, respected the building’s original French neoclassical architecture, characterised by a symmetrical façade with classical decorative elements. Red, yellow and gold tones predominate, evoking the elegance of 19th-century European theatres.
The most emblematic historic interior elements, such as the chandeliers, gilded mouldings and velvet-lined boxes, have been meticulously restored. Decorative frescoes and ceiling mouldings have also been recovered using high-quality materials.
The renovation has also introduced significant improvements in technology and sustainability. Three hydraulic platforms have been installed on the semi-circular stage, adapted for dynamic scenography, along with a tilting platform in the stalls. Energy-efficient lighting, a surround sound system and low-consumption climate control have also been incorporated.
In statements to Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera, theatre owner Pedro Matutes noted that “this is not just another business, it is a legacy, and we try to treat it with respect, rehabilitating the theatre with great consideration for what it was and what it meant.”
A Versatile and Dynamic Space: The Stalls
Transforming the theatre into a multifunctional space was key to the success of the project. The venue required, within the same space, both a traditional theatre and cinema configuration with fixed seating, and a cabaret-style layout with chairs and tables. To achieve this, Figueras developed a versatile solution: a tilting platform in the stalls, capable of adjusting its slope by up to 4% thanks to the Spiralift lifting system.
The platform features a flat surface that pivots at one end, while actuators at the other allow its inclination to be regulated. It is connected to the rear access area, enabling level entry even when the platform is sloped. When in a horizontal position, it is ideal for hosting banquets or a wide range of events.
When the slope is activated, the stalls are transformed into a French-inspired theatre-in-the-round, with a central area surrounded by 54 boxes and an upper section known as “Es Galliner”, offering a more informal experience.
The platform was installed while maintaining a 10 mm perimeter gap to facilitate air circulation from the climate control system.
To equip the stalls, Figueras’ Mutawheel system was used, providing a total of 286 seats. This mobile system is a versatile solution, with seating arranged in rows of 5, 6 and 7 seats. The rows can be positioned anywhere in the venue thanks to multidirectional wheels that allow 360-degree rotation. Its lightweight design makes it easy to move and reconfigure rows without the need for permanent floor fixings. Thirty-five of the 49 seating groups were adapted for use on the sloped stalls.
This mobile seating system also allows the venue’s capacity to be adapted to different types of events, as well as enabling the rows to be stored away when an open-plan space is required.
The selected seat, the Minispace 5067 model, upholstered in a vibrant red tone, was specifically designed for performing arts venues and auditoria. Its compact design—only 15 cm deep when folded—makes it ideal for optimising space without compromising audience comfort.
The combination of the Mutawheel system with Minispace 5067 seating provides a highly functional and adaptable solution for spaces requiring flexible configurations, while always maintaining the comfort and elegant design characteristic of Figueras.
Stage in Action: Dynamic Design and Smart Storage
The stage was conceived as a modular system to offer maximum versatility. It consists of three lifting platforms that can be adjusted simultaneously or individually. They can even become part of the performance itself, allowing for scenic choreography by regulating the platforms during the show.
The platforms were designed in close consideration of the building’s architecture and fit the space with millimetre precision. The first platform, measuring 18 m², mirrors the semi-circular shape of the stage along one side, following its contour. This allows the stage to be extended quickly and easily. It has a vertical travel of 1.75 m. Located next to the stalls, this platform can also be lowered to function as an orchestra pit, adapting to the needs of each performance.
The other two platforms, measuring 15 m² and 16 m² respectively, have a rectangular profile and a vertical travel of 1.5 m.
When the platforms are set at “zero level”, they align with the floor, leaving the entire space completely flat and ready to accommodate any type of activity, such as banquets, cabaret-style layouts or conversion into a dance floor.
At the rear of the stage, Figueras designed a dedicated storage area for the seating groups. When the platforms are at floor level, the seating rows can be easily moved in or out of this space thanks to the Mutawheel system. The project was developed by Figueras’ engineering department, which carried out the necessary structural calculations and adapted the solution to the specific characteristics of the platforms.
The platform system is protected around its entire perimeter by a custom-designed curtain safety system, created to ensure that no gaps are left in any of the platform positions when they are in operation.
A control panel housing the command and power components was installed alongside the platforms. Each platform can operate independently, although all are managed from a single panel, programmed with preset height levels.
The New Life of Teatro Pereyra
A new chapter for Teatro Pereyra began in May 2024, with a renewed entertainment offering for Ibiza’s leisure scene. The venue reopened in grand style with a musical show by Nacho Cano inspired by the arrival of hippies to Ibiza in the late 1960s.
Teatro Pereyra now offers a comprehensive and diverse annual programme, ranging from theatre, music and dance performances to art exhibitions and special events, promoting cultural diversity and supporting local artists and creators. As a prelude to the theatre experience, Café Pereyra continues to operate, dedicated to live music and ideal for enjoying breakfast or lunch. As Matutes told Periódico de Ibiza, “we want people to feel proud of Teatro Pereyra and to feel that it belongs to them.”
Renewed and ready for the future, it remains a place to share art, history, emotion and culture—and above all, a place where people can come together and enjoy unforgettable experiences. Teatro Pereyra is once again a benchmark in Ibiza.
