Cinema, theatre and flamenco: language, prices and etiquette

Terms used

• VOSE — VOSE means a film shown in its original language with Spanish subtitles.
• Día del Espectador — The Día del Espectador is a weekly cinema discount day, usually Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
• Tablaos — Tablaos are restaurants or small theatres that put on professional flamenco shows.
• Peñas flamencas — Peñas flamencas are members' clubs where flamenco is performed in an authentic, low-cost setting.

Key rules

• Dubbing: Foreign films are dubbed into Spanish by default, so choose showings marked VOSE or VO to hear the original.
• Cheap cinema: Ask each cinema for its discount day, since it varies by chain and region.
• Flamenco venues: Tablaos are polished shows, peñas are cheaper club evenings and festivals are big events.
• Resale sites: Buy theatre tickets from the venue or an official seller, because resale sites add fees.

Films are usually dubbed, so look for VOSE

Foreign films in Spain are normally dubbed into Spanish, especially in mainstream cinemas and for children's films. If you want the original soundtrack, look for VOSE or VO on the listing. You may also see "V.O.S.E.". VOSE means original language with Spanish subtitles.

To find these showings:

• Search showtime websites and apps and filter by version. The big cinema chains' own sites also let you filter.
• In Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville, some cinemas specialise in original-language films. Renoir, Cines Verdi, Golem and Cines Princesa are examples. Filmoteca screenings are usually in the original version.
• Small towns may have few VOSE showings, or none. Check the listing before you travel.
• In Catalonia and some other regions, films may also be dubbed into Catalan or another regional language.

Cinema prices and discount days

A normal ticket costs roughly 8-12 euros. Most cinemas have a Día del Espectador, usually on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the chain and region. Tickets then cost roughly 3.5-7 euros.

More ways to pay less:

• Chain loyalty cards and apps give discounts.
• Many cinemas have reduced prices for under-26s, over-65s, large families and unemployed people.
• Independent cinemas often charge less than the chains.
• The Fiesta del Cine is held a few times a year.

The discount day and prices differ by cinema, so check the cinema's own site.

Theatre tickets

Buy at the venue's box office, on its website or through ticketing sites. Be careful with resale sites, which add fees. Typical prices:

• Municipal and small theatres: 10-25 euros.
• Commercial theatre in Madrid or Barcelona: 20-50 euros.
• Musicals: 30-90 euros.
• Opera and ballet at big houses such as Teatro Real or the Liceu: 20-200 euros or more.
• Concerts: 25-100 euros or more.

Discounts often exist for under-30s, over-65s, groups and last-minute seats. Ask at the box office. Most shows will be in Spanish, so check the language before you book.

Flamenco: three kinds of venue

• Tablaos are restaurants or small theatres with professional shows. Examples are Corral de la Morería, Cardamomo and Casa Patas in Madrid, Los Gallos in Seville, the Sacromonte caves in Granada and Los Tarantos in Barcelona. Expect about 25-50 euros for a show with a drink. A dinner show at a top Madrid tablao costs 80-150 euros or more. Book ahead for top venues.
• Peñas flamencas are members' clubs with authentic, low-cost evenings. Expect 10-20 euros, as at other small venues.
• Festivals, such as the Bienal de Sevilla and the Festival de Jerez, are the big events. Andalusia is the heartland of flamenco.

Etiquette

• Arrive early.
• Stay quiet during the performance.
• Don't use flash or film, as it is often banned.
• Applaud, and shout "olé" at the right moments.
• Don't leave in the middle of a song.
• Dress smart casual.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a cheaper day to go to the cinema in Spain?

Yes, most Spanish cinemas have a discount day called the Día del Espectador, usually on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the chain and region. Tickets cost roughly 3.5-7 euros instead of the normal 8-12 euros. Cinema chains also offer loyalty cards and reductions for under-26s, over-65s, large families and the unemployed.

Can I find original-language films in a small town?

Probably not often, because small towns may have few or no VOSE showings. Big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville have dedicated original-language cinemas like Renoir, Cines Verdi and Golem.

How much does a theatre ticket cost in Spain?

A ticket costs about 10-25 euros at a municipal or small theatre and 20-50 euros at a commercial theatre in Madrid or Barcelona. Musicals run 30-90 euros, and opera or ballet can go from 20 to over 200 euros. Buy at the venue box office or its website, because resale sites often add fees.

How much should I pay to see flamenco?

Expect about 25-50 euros for a tablao show with a drink, and 80-150 euros or more for a dinner show at the top Madrid venues. A peña flamenca, a members' club with authentic evenings, or a small venue costs about 10-20 euros. Arrive early, stay quiet during the performance, skip flash and filming, and book ahead for popular places.