Andorra Joins No Empty Seat Theatre Campaign with Abrakadabra Debut

Andorra la Vella is debuting in the third edition of ADETCA's "Cap butaca buida"—No Empty Seat—initiative on 21 March, staging the Escena Nacional d’Andorra (ENA) ghost comedy *Abrakadabra* at the Teatre Comunal at 20.30. This performance during World Theatre Week marks the final local showing before the production opens a season at Barcelona’s Teatre Aquitània. Tickets are available via the campaign's website.

The event draws Andorra into a network of 236 venues across Catalan-speaking territories—including the Community of Valencia, Balearic Islands, France, Spain, and Buenos Aires—hosting 266 shows through 302 to 324 performances. Organisers placed a giant inflatable seat in the busy Plaça de la Rotonda to draw attention and symbolise the call to fill every seat.

Cònsol Menor Olalla Losada described the participation as a key step to promote theatre's visibility, calling it essential for culture, community, and social cohesion. She highlighted *Abrakadabra*—a co-production of Andorra Crea, Animal Escola de Teatre, and ENA, written by Juanma Casero and directed by Joan Anton Rechi—as "100% Andorran" talent emerging from local cultural investment. Joining the initiative, she added, connects Andorra to a broader wave extending theatre beyond its borders.

ENA artistic director Núria Montes, for whom this is an early project, welcomed the comú's immediate support. Such backing, she said, strengthens ENA's mission to promote the country's performing arts professionals. She urged audiences: "Que no quedi cap butaca buida."

ADETCA vice-president Toni Albadalejo emphasised that the campaign centres the public, not institutions or specific shows, filling a gap akin to Sant Jordi for books. "Without an audience, there is no theatre," he stated, framing it as a simple act of attending live performances, taking a seat, and engaging emotionally—at full price, even once a year. He hailed Andorra's addition as expanding the project's reach and underscoring theatre's shared appeal across territories, with Buenos Aires contributing a Catalan-language show. In Catalonia, 80 bakeries will offer "theatre bread" shaped like a T to spark conversation.

Both ENA and comú officials expressed enthusiasm for future editions, provided suitable shows and dates align.