Andorra Joins 'No Empty Seat' Theatre Campaign with Abrakadabra Premiere

Andorra la Vella is participating for the first time in the third edition of ADETCA's "Cap butaca buida"—No Empty Seat—campaign, with a performance of the Escena Nacional d’Andorra (ENA) ghost comedy *Abrakadabra* at the Teatre Comunal on 21 March at 20.30. The show marks the final local outing before it opens a season at Barcelona’s Teatre Aquitània.

Organisers placed a giant inflatable seat in the bustling Plaça de la Rotonda this morning as a visual call to fill venues and spark interest in theatre. The campaign unites 236 theatres across Catalan-speaking territories—including the Community of Valencia, Balearic Islands, France, Spain, and a Catalan-language production in Buenos Aires' Teatre Margarita Xirgu—featuring 266 shows through 302 to 324 performances during World Theatre Week.

Cònsol Menor Olalla Losada highlighted the debut's role in boosting visibility in a high-traffic location. She described theatre as an essential arena for culture, community, and social cohesion, and praised *Abrakadabra*—a 100% Andorran co-production by Andorra Crea, Animal Escola de Teatre, and ENA, written by Juanma Casero and directed by Joan Anton Rechi—as evidence of homegrown talent emerging from local cultural support. Participation, she added, connects Andorra to a broader wave extending theatre beyond its borders.

ENA artistic director Núria Montes, marking this as an early project in her tenure, emphasised the comú's immediate support as crucial to the organisation's mission of promoting the country's performing arts professionals. She urged audiences to fill every seat, noting the performance's special timing ahead of its Barcelona run.

ADETCA vice-president Toni Albadalejo framed the event as audience-focused, filling a gap like Sant Jordi for books. "Without an audience, there is no theatre," he said, clarifying it is not a festival, showcase, or discount drive but an invitation to experience live performance at full price—even once a year—and connect emotionally. He welcomed Andorra's involvement as expanding the project's reach and reinforcing theatre's shared appeal across territories, with no intent to compete but to unite efforts. In Catalonia, 80 bakeries will offer "theatre bread" shaped like a T to fuel conversations.

Both ENA and comú officials expressed enthusiasm for future participation, provided suitable shows and dates align. Tickets are available via the campaign website.