And here I am taking you back to Mexico and one great cultural spot. I happened to stayed near it on several occasions and did enjoy a show inside. A wonderful Teatro de los Insurgentes or the Insurgents theater of Mexico city.
With its 30 km of length (50 if the newest extensions are taken into account), the Avenida de los Insurgentes crosses the city from north to south and is the most important thoroughfare in Mexico City. Originally known as Vía del Centenario in the 1900s and renamed in the late 40s to honour the Ejército de los Insurgentes (Insurgent army – guerrilla army in this case), whose help was crucial for independence, a walk along its pavements is like walking through Mexico’s history and present.
In it, you find the Teatro de los Insurgentes located on Av. Insurgentes Sur, 1587, corner with calle Mercaderes, Colonia San José Insurgentes, Delegación Benito Juárez, Mexico DF.
It was built in 1953 as part of a program of urban renewal. The muralist Diego Rivera painted La historia del teatro, (history of the theater) a visual history of the theater in Mexico on the building’s façade which is 46 meters by 10 meters and the theater holds 1,141 seats on a single floor. The painting is made with synthetic material, with the dry flattening technique, to be covered with glass mosaic slabs that, were worked in the mosaic workshops of Italy.
The artist Rivera , placed the character of Cantinflas (one of Mexico and Spanish speaking world best comedian actor) in the center of the mural in the form of a Robin Hood figure, distributing the wealth of the rich to the poor. The first work presented was Yo Colón by Alfredo Robledo and Carlos León, directed by Ernesto Finance and starring Mario Moreno “Cantinflas” whose image is incorporated in the center of the aforementioned mural. In the pre-Hispanic theater representation there are two dancing musicians, a priest dressed in the ritual of sacrifice, of the pastorela: a devil, an angel and perhaps Fernández de Lizardi. Of modern works, two by Rodolfo Usigli stand out: Corona de sombra in the sequence of Maximiliano and Carlota, and El Gesticulador. There is also a scene from Los de Abajo (the lower casts of people).
At the Olympic Games of Mexico City 1968 , the theater was adapted to host Weightlifting competitions. 4 areas were made: the spectator area, an area for competitions, an area for training and an annex for warmups.
In 1993, with the restoration of the Rivera mural as the main motive, it was decided to carry out a total renovation project of the theater to adapt and revitalize it. The transformation involved most of the spaces: the central staircase that formerly received the attendees was removed to achieve greater transparency and space; the bar and candy store were re-located in the mezzanine and the area freed after this change, allowed the creation of a ramp that allows access to people with disabilities. The mechanical, acoustic, lighting and isoptic conditions of the auditorium were also improved to modernize it and adapt it structurally to the new regulations established. The program also included the construction of an additional building to create rehearsal, makeup, wardrobe and storage spaces.
Showing theatre performance and practical information on the Teatro de los Insurgentes : https://carteleradeteatro.mx/teatro/sur/teatro-de-los-insurgentes/
The tourist office of Mexico city on the Teatro de los Insurgentes: http://cdmxtravel.com/es/lugares/teatro-de-los-insurgentes.html
Some additional tourist sites of Mexico to help you plan your trip here and you should are
The Tourist office of Mexico on Mexico City: https://www.visitmexico.com/en/mexico-city/mexico-city
The Atlas turistico of Mexico City : https://atlasturistico.sectur.gob.mx/AtlasTuristico/inicio.do
So, there you have it , a wonderful theater, with history, architecture and great shows indeed. Oh mine was Héctor Suárez con Macaria: El show. A great comedy by one of the best of Mexico, Héctor Suàrez.
Hope you enjoy the post and do indulge yourselves in the arts of Mexico and DF or Ciudad de Mexico; the Teatro de los Insurgentes is tops for it.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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