Novelli Theater Rimini

On 27 March 1895 the city council decided to build a stage in the center of the masonry of the former racecourse, between the beach and the port channel. The measure was necessary to accommodate during the "swimming season" the most important theater companies. The decision of the Town Hall to stabilize the location of the shows, long settled temporarily in areas near the Kursaal Hotel starts the story of a theater in the beach area, originally called the 'Arena on the shore' and then Ermete Novelli.

For over a decade this "funny booth" entirely made of wood, mounted in June and dismantled at the end of the season, is one of the most important events of the summer evening. Over the years, the structure becomes worn down and rickety

Under these conditions the decrepit theater was taken under management by Ermete Novelli. The great showman of the stage ordered a series of important works of restoration and beautification and inhabitants of Rimini, grateful, after a few days headed the theater. With the leadership of the Great actor, Ermete Novelli, the 'Arena on the shore' become a point of reference, scope and required by the best artistic companies in Italy. The war ended this fascinating chapter. On January 30, 1919 Ermete Novelli died and the arena was taken by the company which manages the Politeama in Rimini.
In August 1925 the "funny booth" has become "an old and indecent carcass", and was demolished.

After 10 years in the same area, was built a new theater still entitled to Ermete Novelli. The new Theater, modern, functional and in perfect 900 style, all made of reinforced concrete, has a capacity of 1,500 seats in the stalls and gallery: Designed and built by the surveyor Oddo Rondini and the engineer Enrico del Piano.
the most reliable companies in Italy and performing arts for some years return to reherse in the new "Novelli": the city is located at the top because of the artistic renewal of the Arena on the beach.

Luckily saved by the tremendous bombing of 1943-'44, the theater comes from the war with a few dents in the part of the stage. It was taken by the Allies and used to brighten the forced stay of the occupying troops for a couple of years in the summer of '45, creating a small opera season
In 1947 it returned to the city. No explanation whatsoever, the Allies handed the it dirty and seriously damaged: roof, ceiling, windows, walls and decorations devastated; boxes, chairs, armchairs and completely destroyed, the electrical system and the scenic equipment disappeared. That same summer, Novelli Theater, after extensive restoration work, opens the hall to the public and returned to fill the role of artistic center, cultural recreational 'Arena on the Beach'