The monologues in Madrid experienced a resurgence in the early 2000’s with the rise of the Comedy Club from which emerged the comedians who today are still on stage and in radio and television Programs, such as Eva Hache or Quequé.
The fame of the comedians also led them to occupy the billboards of some of the most important theaters in the country Gran Vía to the point of specialization, as is the case of the La Chocita del Loro and its two locations. In the second wave of modern humor we are experiencing, there are new faces, especially women -which were not abundant in the first wave-, different themes and formats that have been evolving.
1. La Chocita del Loro
La Chocita del Loro are two spaces in one that make up one of the greatest exponents of comedy in Madrid. Almost all humorists have passed through its stages before or after. It currently continues in the line of comedy that began in the early 2000s. They have two theaters dedicated to monologues in Madrid, although the most popular is the one in Gran Vía.
From La Chocita del Loro explain to Madrid Secreto that most of its artists start at the Carabanchel venue and when they have their show more defined, they move on to perform at Gran Vía.
gran Vía Street, 70 (downtown), Dr. Urquiola Street, 23 (Carabanchel)
2. Mad beer Hall
Mad Beer Hall is a rounded experience that unites beer and humor. The first thing is the tasting and lasts about 45 minutes. The brewing details and flavors of four craft beers, which may vary, are unpacked. We continue with a visit to the Mad Brewing factory, where we learn about the processes that transform water into beer.
Finally, and for the next hour and a quarter, it’s time for a few laughs in company, thanks to the monologue presented by the comedian Alberto Graupera. A round plan.
📍 Calle Julián Camarillo, 19 (San Blas)
3. La Escalera de Jacob
La Escalera de Jacob’s monologues are some of the most interesting monologues in Madrid, due to the novelty of the staging and the mix of formats. Here the most common is the theatrical monologue, that is to say, they are not stand-up (although sometimes they have some), what differentiates them is the more artistic representation of comedy.
His humor proposal includes feminism, magic and improvisation. Thus, they add variety to their billboard and open up the concept of comedy.
📍 Calle de Lavapiés, 9 (Lavapiés)
4. Weekly Deformation
Deforme Semanal is a podcast, but is usually recorded live and is the closest thing to the reinvention of the traditional monologue. Isa Calderón and Lucía Litmajer, the creators, could not be defined simply as comedians -they are writers and scriptwriters- although the constant laughter of the audience is a clear sign that this is one more of their skills.
They have been doing this Program since 2016, with which they have won two Ondas awards. It can usually be seen live at the Teatro Lope de Vega in Madrid, as well as other cities in Spain, but the tickets are usually sold out quickly, in fact, they have sold out even in New York.
5. Picnic Bar
Picnic hosts two types of comedy shows: open mic and comedy specials. It could be defined as the most alternative proposal as far as monologues in Madrid are concerned.
Picnic Comedy Club is their Wednesday open mic, which usually features 8-12 people and is usually hosted by a comedian. It is logical that the rotation of comedians is constant, although there are some regular comedians such as Rabo Parmesano. They also do comedy specials on Saturdays from 1 p.m., where the comedians rehearse with a live audience for a show lasting about 1 hour, before taking it on tour.
📍 Calle de las Minas, 1 (Malasaña)
6. Soho Club Theater
Three venues in one location (and well of monologues that vary season to season). A theater, a main hall and a library that also hosts conferences, lectures… This season, you can enjoy:
- ‘Montando el Poyo’ (Riding the Poyo) a show in which two groups of comedians improvise and “fight” for the audience’s laughter.
- ‘Touching 40’ with Patxi Zubeldia, a monologue about the dangers (and ailments) of approaching quarantine.
- ‘Flirting in modern times’ with Javi Bueno and the difficulties of finding love between crossfit classes and social networks.
📍 Plaza de España, 6 (Downtown)
7. Neighborhood Theater
At Teatro del Barrio, monologues or one-person humorous shows -they differentiate those that have more theatrical elements: dramaturgy and scenography- are common in its billboard. Some comedians and actors started and continue to perform here every season, as is the case of Pepe Viyuela.
The proposal of this theater of Lavapiés includes some of the most interesting voices of humor, such as Silvia Agüero, Olga Iglesias or Nerea Pérez de las Heras. His monologues include social demands, politics and even sexuality.
📍 Calle de Zurita, 20 (Lavapiés)
8. Paco the dog
Perro Paco refers to the famous dog that, during the 19th century, generated endless journalistic chronicles. This little dog visited daily the Café de Fornos, in the company of Azorín or Baroja, among others. Today, there remains a sculpture in addition to this bar-theater where monologues are a trademark of the house.
📍 Calle de San Agustín (neighborhood of Las Letras)
💸 Now on the billboard: un monólogo de p*** madre’ by Juan Morales from 10€ per person.
9. Fuencarral Humor Room
A new comedy theater is opening in the center of the city, specifically in the Chamberí neighborhood. His adventure starts with monologues such as Perreando, by Jorge Bolaños. We will continue to follow your programming.
📍 Calle de Fuencarral, 136 (Chamberí)