The Italian response to the Comédie Française. A theatre that can compete with its major international contemporaries in cities like Paris, Berlin and London. Founded in 1648, the Florentines nicknamed it “the Watermelon theatre” thanks to the name of the street it overlooked. It was the first ‘modern’ theatre in Florence and one of the first in Europe. After 20 years closed and 9 years of restorations, it was finally reopened in January 2016. It’s since regained its strength with prestigious billboards and great artists. Vittorio Gassman, Carlo Cecchi and Carmelo Bene yesterday, Toni Servillo, Gabriele Lavia and Alessandro Benvenuti today. It is, together with the Teatro della Pergola, the Teatro Studio di Scandicci and the Teatro Era di Pontedera, part of the Fondazione Teatro della Toscana. Four hundred and six seats and four levels of stages for a contemporary season and more.