The Mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, has confirmed that the Grada Paraíso of the Lope de Vega Theatre will remain closed during the reopening of the venue in September, as it does not meet safety conditions. This decision affects 113 seats and will require the refund of around 600 tickets already sold for the Flamenco Biennial.
The Lope de Vega Theatre will reopen its doors in September, coinciding with the celebration of the Flamenco Biennial, but it will do so with a significant absence: the Grada Paraíso, which has 113 seats, will remain closed for safety reasons. This has been confirmed by the Mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, who has defended the decision based on two technical reports that advise against its use.
"If the technicians have recommended that this stand cannot be used at this time, then it will not be used," Sanz stated during the presentation of the Sevilla Centro Vivo plan. The mayor emphasized that the City Council will always act in accordance with technical reports and reminded that three years ago the theatre had to close due to similar deficiencies in the electrical installation, fire curtain, and fire safety system.
The first report, dated June 30, already warned of non-compliance with fire safety regulations and indicated that it could not be certified that the structure could support the weight of the original seats. A second report, revealed on July 17, confirmed the impossibility of opening this area with full guarantees. Both evaluations have led the City Council to keep the stand closed, which represents about 15% of the theatre's usual capacity.
This decision will have direct consequences for the audience of the Flamenco Biennial. The City Council plans to refund the amount of around 600 tickets already sold for nine performances, with prices ranging from 12 to 15 euros, which were among the most affordable in the venue. Culture has announced that it will begin the refund process "in the coming weeks."
The City Council had already announced in March an investment of over 100,000 euros to completely renovate the stand, but the works could not be completed in time for the reopening. The old seats are being removed, and the City Council will urgently process the installation of a new structure. Although the work could be completed by the end of the year, the municipal forecast is that the Grada Paraíso will not welcome the public again until early 2027.
Sanz wanted to convey a message of reassurance to the people of Seville, ensuring that the priority is to guarantee the safety of attendees. "The theatre can reopen without this area during the next cultural season," he insisted, highlighting that the rest of the venue does meet all required conditions.
The reopening of the Lope de Vega, one of the most emblematic theatres in the Andalusian capital, marks a milestone for Seville's culture. After three years closed for renovations, the coliseum will once again host performances, although with a reduced capacity until the upper stand renovation is completed. Flamenco enthusiasts who have already purchased their tickets for the Biennial should stay tuned to official channels for information on refund timelines.
The City Council hopes that the new structure of the Grada Paraíso will be ready by early 2027, returning the theatre to its full capacity. In the meantime, the Biennial's programming will proceed normally in the rest of the venue, offering a varied showcase of the best flamenco.
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