After a 20-year closure, Florence’s oldest theatre, Teatro Niccolini, in via Ricasoli, has reopened.
The ‘rebirth’ of the theatre, built in 1650, is due to the investment of Mauro Pagliai, the founder of publishing house Polistampa, who purchased and devoted nine years to restoring it.
Founded by a group of nobles, the theatre was originally called Teatro del Cocomero, for the street that was its home, at the time named via del Cocomero. It remained in use through the 1970s, when it was home to important productions of plays. In the 20 years since 1995, when it was finally shuttered, it was damaged by rave-goers.
Pagliai, who purchased the 406-seat theatre in 2006, hopes that the ‘new’ theatre, which includes a bookshop and coffee bar, will once again be a cultural hub. Along with performances, plans for its use include holding exhibitions and conferences there year round.
The full schedule of events is forthcoming from Fondazione Teatro della Toscana and will be listed at teatrodellatoscana.it.
All photos by Andrea Paoletti