From El Coliseo Theater to the District Cinematheque
With the appearance in 1775 of the first comedy theater, El Coliseo, on the street of the same name, a discussion arose about what dramatic art meant in Cartagena. ‘Paying to see’ made us an audience, an unprecedented event, consisting of reveling in the spectacle and satisfying our expectations; however, the council members of the time refused to pay entrance, considering their hierarchy tarnished. The judicial dispute from 1776 to 1781 was won by the priests who owned the theater, and the council members were reprimanded by the priests' lawyer: “(...) it was not understood how the council, which bore the exalted title of ‘Father of the Republic’, instead of helping to increase the revenues of El Coliseo, destined as much as possible to curb the contagion of leprosy from San Lázaro, dedicated itself to defending privileges that diminished the income of such a pious and benevolent cause” (Provision of the Royal Audience of Santa Fe, January 31, 1781).
