The genre “alhambresco” was developed in this place and survived for 35 years. It reproduced the characters and customs of the Cuban society of that time on stage. The longest season in this theater was from November 10th, 1900 to February 18th, 1953 when he place was rented by the scriptwriter Federico Villoch, the scenographer Miguel Arias and the actor José López Falco. The season finished when part of the roof of the porch and of the stalls collapsed. More than two thousand plays were performed in Alhambra, which was a place for men, only. Government issues were evident in the plays preformed, as well as worldwide events and parodies of well known plays.

Federico Villoch

He was born on October 16th, 1868 in the town of Ceiba Mocha in the province of Matanzas. He was the most popular play writer of Cuba. He founded the magazine Luz y Sombra and was one of the most famous and respected editors of Figaro. He collaborated with other publications. He wrote several books since 1892, when he published “Por esos mundos. Impresiones de un viaje”. Another book was “La Guerra de independencia”. He died on November 11th, 1954.

 Miguel Arias

He was born in Villalgaton, Spain and was considered a genuine Cuban painter. He was a remarkable scenographer who had the audience recognition. Those going to the theater loved his decorations. He mastered drawing and composition skills which provided him with glory, money and the title of Master. Due to his qualities he worked for theaters in Cuba and abroad.