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Ethiopian National Theatre
Source: commons.wikimedia.org3 photos
Photos from Ethiopian National Theatre's own website and pages. Open a photo to see where it came from.
Landmark
Ethiopian National Theatre
State theatre on Gambia Street, open since 1955, with plays and music
- Area
- Churchill Avenue
The Ethiopian National Theatre is on Gambia Street in central Addis Ababa. It opened in 1955 and has about 1,260 seats for plays and music.
Good for
- Visitors
- Groups
- Opened in 1955 for the Silver Jubilee of Haile Selassie
- Main hall with about 1,260 seats
- Amharic plays, concerts and traditional music
- Lion of Judah statue by Maurice Calka near the theatre
The Ethiopian National Theatre is on Gambia Street, near the south end of Churchill Avenue. It is the main state theatre of the country.
History
Building work started during the Italian occupation, when the hall was planned as the Cinema Marconi. It was finished in 1955 for the Silver Jubilee of Emperor Haile Selassie. Until 1975 its name was the Haile Selassie I Theatre. The Austrian composer Franz Zelwecker was the first director.
What to expect
The main hall has about 1,260 seats. The theatre has a drama section and a music section. It stages Amharic plays, concerts with singers and an orchestra, and traditional music and dance. The hall is also used for public events.
A stone Lion of Judah by the French sculptor Maurice Calka stands near the theatre. It dates from 1954.
Getting there
The theatre is between Legehar and Mexico, a short walk from the National Bank of Ethiopia and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia headquarters. Minibuses on Churchill Avenue stop close to it.
Good to know
Most plays are in Amharic. Buy the ticket at the box office on the day and ask for the programme of the week there.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Ethiopian National Theatre?
The theatre is on Gambia Street, near the south end of Churchill Avenue.
What language are the plays at the National Theatre?
Most plays are in Amharic.
How many seats does the National Theatre have?
The main hall has about 1,260 seats.
Sources
- Ethiopian National Theatre, Wikipedia
- Monument to the Lion of Judah, Wikipedia
- Photo: Ethiopian National Theatre.jpg by By LuckyInWaco, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ethiopian National Theater 2.jpg by Lenege, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ethiopian National Theater 1.jpg by Lenege, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Profile last reviewed November 12, 2026.
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