The San Francisco Theatre/Teatro San Francisco - for audiences and producers.

For a small place, Vejer has a remarkable supply of cultural activities and the San Francisco Theatre is an important part of these.

The San Fransico Theatre project was initiated in 2001 with the intention of

'reclaiming the cultural heritage of the locality'. It was intended not merely as a theatre, but as a 'process'; one which would explore new avenues of presentation, not only locally but from other cultures. The theatre, which was built on the site of a former cinema, was designed by architects Marta Pelegrin, Fernando Perez and Diego Brieva and was completed in 2010 at a cost of around 1.78 million Euros.

The theatre has been criticised in some quarters as 'uglifying' and not as sustainable as it was intended to be, and despite its inspiring mission statement, it remains a mainly local concern, creating space for amateur groups and municipal events. The theatre also has the equipment to present films.

On the plus side, since it opened to the public in 2011, the theatre has provided accommodation for numerous events and created a focal point for Vejer's cultural activities. It is comfortable and spacious, and comparatively well-equipped.

Since most readers will be more interested in viewing a show than presenting one, my first section will explain how to buy tickets and find out what's on, and in the second part I will give information for prospective producers.

What's on at the Teatro San Francisco?

The theatre stages Spanish-language dramatic presentations, music, dance and public events such as the annual Carnival competition. Many of the presentations are enjoyable even if you don't speak Spanish.

You can find out what's happening by checking this blog, which will report all theatre activities, by strolling round to the theatre, where the programme will be displayed, or by checking the website of  the local council:

http://www.vejerdelafrontera.es/

If you're in La Noria, information may not be displayed near you. Keep an eye on the Internet and watch out for posters while you're walking round the Old Town.

Photo: Kelly Lawlor



You can buy tickets in advance from the Casa de la Juventud, the building opposite the San Francisco Arch. There is a small office near the corner with Juan Bueno. Tickets are inexpensive, ranging from 3 to 10 Euros. Try to get downstairs seats (Patio de Butacas) - upstairs seats, though cheaper, are far from the stage and the ones in the front have limited visibility.

The box office opens one hour before the show begins, but it's better to get there early, because towards the start, a queue often forms.

Although a bar was included in the theatre design, no food or drink is served in the theatre, and food may not be brought in. Since productions rarely have an interval, this is not a great inconvenience. For pre and after-show drinks and refreshments, the Mercado's tapas bars across the road are very convenient.

For producers and directors:

To use the theatre, draft a Spanish-language proposal outlining the kind of show you want to produce, running-time and prospective dates and submit it to the Culture Administrator, Flora Nuñez at floravejer@yahoo.es. She will pass it on to the council for consideration. If you want an informal chat with Flora in advance, you can find her office at the Casa de la Cultura, Marqués de Tamarón 10, Tel: 956 450 800.

Finance and funding.

• Before starting a production, you must form a residents' association. (Asociación de vecinos)Without this, you will not be able to reclaim your box office receipts. Ask at the Casa de la Juventud for the forms - foreigners are eligible to start an association as long as they have a NIE number.
• The theatre belongs to the local council. They charge 15% of all ticket sales for the use of the theatre.
• The Council will expect to regulate ticket prices, opening times and the number of times you perform your show.
• Tickets may only be sold through the Council's office at the Casa de la Juventud or the Box Office. A Council official will collect the money and pay it into the Council bank account.
• After the show closes, you must invoice the Council via your Residents Association for your 85% of ticket receipts. It can take several months for your money to be repaid to you.

Theatre specifications:

• The seating capacity of the theatre is approximately 350.
• Backstage facilities include communal dressing rooms, individual dressing rooms and showers.
• The stage is a plain proscenium-type raised platform without an apron.
• There is an electronically-operated curtain.
• Bars at the rear of the stage can be electronically raised and lowered.
• There is a full lighting rig with a 10-channel non-computerised deck. Some coloured gels are also available.
• There is a CD player: however, this does not accept MP3 - ask the technicians for up-to-date information. Full amplification is available throughout the auditorium.
• Ambient microphones and personal microphones are available through prior arrangement with the technician.
• Free-standing microphones are available through the technician.
• Projector and computer are installed in the lighting box.
• A screen is available for film presentations.

Technicians

• Technicians are not theatre-trained. They do not work from a script but require verbal prompts.
• Technicians are not available at regular times.
• Technicians are not paid but given time off in lieu from their regular jobs with the council. It is not possible to pay them privately.
• It may be possible to use your own technician by arrangement with the Council.

Access and rehearsals

• Arrangements to use the theatre include one evening dress rehearsal.
• Get-in and technical rehearsal are normally arranged for the morning of the dress rehearsal.
• There is no rehearsal space associated with the theatre, and currently no community centre which rents rehearsal rooms. Arrangements must be made privately. The Peña de los Cazadores (Avenida de Buenavista 30) has a large upstairs room which it is sometimes willing to lend.

Publicity

•  Posters and other publicity material should be submitted to the Council for approval and for the official Vejer logo. Without this logo, the poster cannot be displayed in any Council areas. The Council will then promote the production on its website and Facebook pages.
• Many shops are willing to display posters, though the new part of town sometimes gets forgotten.
• Your event can be promoted on Vejer Radio: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Radio-vejer/188928377845028

Audiences

Vejer's audiences are enthusiastic and responsive. Shows are usually well-attended.