Did you know that Asunción – the capital and biggest city in Paraguay – is known for its theatres? The production teams will offer you plays in Spanish, and sometimes Guaraní. Depending on whether the plays are adaptations or not, shows can partially be in English. Especially for musicals, like Mamma Mia! or Grease – both played in 2025 – where some of the songs were interpreted in the language of Shakespeare.
However, plays are not solely what theatres have to offer. You can also attend orchestra representations. Those are some of the most accessible in the Americas, often performing for free, or low cost. Most of the plays are priced at Gs. 50,000 (approximately US$7).Not as often as orchestras, you can also assist to operas in Asunción.
Here is a list of all the theatres in Asunción, divided by categories. From there, you can look for their schedules and offerings on their website or social media.
Asunción’s theatres to see plays
Arlequin: The Arlequin theatre is reference to the character from the Italian conmedia dell’arte. Multiple plays from different genres are performed there. You can also see some concerts there, but he theatre focused more on plays.
The Arlequin is located at the extremity of the neighbourhood of San Roque, on Antequera Street, two corners away from Route PY 01.
Casa Zulema: As the name says, this is a house, and not a theatre per se, but they do have plays there. Casa Zulema is hosting more underground, semi-interactive, and immersive plays. Most of the time, rooms are used as scenes. To move to another scene, you need to move to another room.
Casa Zulema is located in the back of the French Alliance, on Eligio Ayala, between United States and Brazil Avenue.
Espacio Ñakyra: This cultural space is for emerging artists to display their talents and arts, mostly via plays. While the place is mostly used for plays, the environment is also used as a museum to show Paraguayan arts.
Espacio Ñakyra is located downtown, two blocks south of Hotel Guaraní and the four plazas. The space is at the corner of Luís Alberto de Herrera Route PY 01.
Galpón del Pasaje Molas: The hangar is used for multiple plays. In the past, this cultural space has been used for music performances as well. More than a hundred people can seat, no matter if the chairs are in rows, or around tables. They often have tables and seats on each side as they like to have plays representing old times.
This place is located at the entrance of downtown. The theatre is on Molas Passage, at the corner of Cerro Corá.
La Recova: This space is used for emerging artists to perform plays. La Recova is also used for plays that are deemed more patriotic or historical. Some plays presented there were 100% in Guaraní language, and The Asunción Times assisted! The seating capacity is of maximum 50 people, all seated.
La Recova is located very close to the Presidential Palace, at the corner of Colón Avenue and Presidente Franco. The entrance is on the latter.
Teatro Latino: The Teatro Latino is used mostly for plays, but has been used for other types of events. While they present all types of plays, they had and have more vaudeville. This style is mostly comical and lighter.
The Latin Theatre is located on Lieutenant (Teniente) Fariña, at the corner of Iturbe, downtown.
Asunción’s theatres to see orchestras and operas
Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pané: The National Theatre is the most famous and important of its kind in Paraguay. The theatre is one of the oldest still-standing cultural building in South America. Representations of the Symphonic Orchestra of the City of Asunción (OSCA) are held there. Depending on the programming of Maestro Luis Szarán, other musicians from different parts of the world are invited to perform in some of his concerts.
This theatre is located at the corner of Chile and Presidente (President) Franco, downtown. The location is a couple of blocks away from the Presidential Palace.
Complejo Cultural Emilio Biggi: This building serves the National Conservatory of Music (Conservatorio Nacional de Música). Sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Sciences, the Complex serves as a space for emerging artists to showcase their talent. While the theatre room looks small, around 100 can seat in it.
This theatre is located downtown, in between Plaza Uruguaya and the four plazas. The Conservatory is at the corner of Eligio Ayala and Fulgencio Yegros.
Edificio Músicos del Paraguay – OSNP: This building is home of the National Symphonic Orchestra of Paraguay, the second most important of its genre in the country. This orchestra is directed by Maestro María Victoria Sosa Zárate and Maestro Enrique Alfonso.
This theatre is located on Teniente Coronel (Lieutenant Colonel) Eugenio Ayala Velázquez, at the corner of Capitán (Capitain) Victor Manuel Brizuela.
And there is more…
There are many more locations specifically for plays from emerging groups. However, these theatres are relatively small and less accessible, for now. With plays growing in popularity in Asunción, their situations might change. Now you know all the important places in Asunción to either see a play, a concert, the orchestra or opera!
If you really like plays, theatres, and its history, you can also visit the Casa del Teatro Edda de los Rios, the official Theatre History Museum. You will learn everything about plays and theatre in a Paraguayan perspective!
With the collaboration of Sol Orrabalis.
Read also this The Asunción Times Guide To Cultural Events At Multipurpose Theatres In Asunción.
