Between 1892 and 1936, Spanish society witnessed many momentous transformations, including the development of a Catalan consciousness and the emergence of Barcelona as a major industrial and cultural center. At the same time, theater in Spain underwent significant changes as teatro poetico and the avant-garde challenged both the naturalistic and commercial theaters. This book examines theatrical practice in both cities and the relationship between them. Using contemporary newspaper reviews, the performance and reception of selected Spanish, Catalan, and foreign plays is analyzed against the background of sociopolitical and cultural developments in the period and the growth of a specifically Catalan national and linguistic identity.