Teatro Municipal de Matosinhos

Situated in Matosinhos, a city and municipality in the district of Porto in northern Portugal, the Cine-Teatro Constantino Nery was opened on 10th June 1906 by Emilio Jose Lo Ferreira, 1st Viscount of Trevoes.

There were 594 seats. The cinema was named after the godfather of one of the viscount’s sons, who became the Governor of Manaus, in Brazil.

Initially, live shows were presented; films were first shown in November 1906. Regular screenings then began on 22nd September 1907, albeit still interspersed with stage shows.

In 1937, the cinema began outdoor presentations in nearby gardens.

At some time the viscount emigrated to Manaus, becoming a building contractor. He died in 1942, and the Cine-Teatro Constantino Nevy was acquired by Sousa & Filho Ltd.

Into the 1970’s attendances started to decline. The cinema closed in the late-1970’s and was acquired in the 1980’s by Firma Sopete, which converted it into a bingo hall.

In 2000, presumably following the cessation of bingo, the building was purchased by Matosinhos City Council.

A major reconstruction took place. The entire building behind the façade was demolished and a completely new theatre emerged. (Even the façade was removed: due to the proximity of the adjoining buildings the only access for construction equipment was through the front. So the façade was cut into segments, stored away and later reconstructed - the ‘cut-lines’ are plainly visible when one knows to look for them!).

The renamed Teatro Municipal de Matosinhos opened on 15th November 2008.

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