Costa Rica Entertainment – The National Theater is going to open the basement to the public. In August, select tours for the public will offer this new feature within the historic facility.
The basement is where the machine with which the lunette floor rises to be at the height of the stage is located. The structure is of great architectural and historical significance. This machine was innovated almost 121 years ago, when the Theater was inaugurated in 1897. It is operated manually, requiring 12 people to push the arms of the machine, uninterrupted, for about 20 minutes.
It was recently raised to host a cocktail party for international leaders who attended the change of government. Participating in the difficult task of raising the floor were President Carlos Alvarado and his wife, Claudia Dobles.
The basement has never yet been opened to the public. It requires a lot of assistants on the tour to make sure the area is respected. Only small groups, up to 20 people, will be taken. The tour will be offered at least once a week and will cost more than the current entrance price without that part of the tour.
