Five women who don’t know each other get locked in a classroom during a school open day. That’s the premise of Madres (“Mothers”), the comedy by Elena Díaz Barrigón that has opened at Teatre Balmes in Barcelona after several years at the Teatro Lara in Madrid.
What is it? A comedy about five mothers stuck together in a classroom, with sharp humour and plenty of tenderness.
Why go? Because it says out loud what many mothers think and hardly ever share.
- WhenSundays at 5 pm, until 20 December 2026
- WhereTeatre Balmes, Carrer de Balmes, 139 (Eixample)
- PriceFrom €25.50
My review
I loved it. They are completely right in what they say, and I love that, in some way, the taboo around what it means to be a mother is being broken. It’s a play that makes you laugh a lot and, at the same time, feel understood.
And a special mention for Cristina Brondo, one of the five actresses: I loved seeing her on stage.
What ‘Madres’ is about
The play brings together five mothers trapped in a classroom who, between laughs and confessions, talk about work-life balance, gender bias in parenting, work and social pressure, and different kinds of families. The tone is sharp, with equal parts tenderness and mischief, and it ends in a collective catharsis.
Cast
Written and directed by Elena Díaz Barrigón. In Barcelona the cast is Leticia Torres, Majo Cordonet, Cristina Brondo, Paula Vives and Anna Senan, a different line-up from Madrid, sharing only Majo Cordonet.
Dates, times and tickets
- Remaining shows: Sundays 15, 22 and 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December, at 5 pm.
- Venue: Teatre Balmes, Carrer de Balmes, 139 (Eixample).
- Tickets: from €25.50. The official ticket website usually has a small discount if you buy in advance.
- Length: about 90 minutes.
- Language: Spanish. A special performance in Catalan has been announced for 13 December; check before buying.
A hit from Madrid
The show has been running for years at the Teatro Lara in Madrid and has been adapted into Basque and in Mexico. Now it arrives in Barcelona as a Sunday afternoon plan: theatre at 5 pm and, afterwards, a snack or dinner in the Eixample.
Getting there
Teatre Balmes is in the heart of the Eixample, on Carrer de Balmes, a few minutes’ walk from Plaça Universitat and Passeig de Gràcia, with good metro, bus and FGC connections.
If you like small theatres with charm, there are more in my boutique theatres in Barcelona, and more ideas in what to do today in Barcelona.
Frequently asked questions
When is ‘Madres’ on in Barcelona
On Sundays at 5 pm at Teatre Balmes, until 20 December 2026. Remaining shows: 15, 22 and 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December.
How much are tickets for ‘Madres’
From €25.50. Check prices and availability on the ticket website before you go.
How long is ‘Madres’
About 90 minutes.
Is ‘Madres’ in Spanish or Catalan
In Spanish. A special performance in Catalan has been announced for 13 December; check before buying.
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