The Sagunt a Escena festival opens its 43rd edition on August 1 at the Roman Theatre with the premiere of 'El Narciso en su opinión', a Golden Age comedy produced by the IVC.
The Sagunt a Escena festival will raise the curtain on its 43rd edition on August 1 at the Roman Theatre of Sagunto with the premiere of El Narciso en su opinión, a comedy written by Guillem de Castro between 1612 and 1615 and considered a precursor to the figurón comedy.
The play, a production of the Institut Valencià de Cultura (IVC), features the participation of more than twenty Valencian performers and creators. The performance will begin at 22:30 and the production will be reprised on August 2 in an accessible performance.
The text addresses ego and the construction of self-image, themes that connect directly with contemporary society. The play speaks of masks, the fear of love, lies versus truth, and appearance versus being, with brave and intelligent female characters.
The adaptation is by Chema Cardeña and directed by Rebeca Valls. The cast includes ten actors and actresses from the Valencian scene, including Josep Manuel Casany, Aina Gimeno, and Toni Misó, accompanied by an artistic team made up of professionals from the Valencian Community.
The inauguration event will be attended by the regional secretary of Culture, Marta Alonso, and the general director of Culture, Ignacio Prieto.
The 'Off Romà' completes the inaugural programme
The 'Off Romà' programme includes the performance of I si fem un clàssic?, by the company Visitants, on Saturday, August 1, in the Cronista Chabret square. The comedy, written by Sònia Alejo, alternates original texts by Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, and Calderón de la Barca with situations related to the representation process of a theatre company.
The staging showcases the mechanisms of constructing the show, including costume changes and scenic resources. The company uses classic verses to offer a contemporary and reflective perspective on how this dramaturgy is read today and the role of women within it.
On August 2, the 'Off Romà' will host Marea Danza with Anudar, a creation directed by Sara Cano that reformulates elements of Valencian folklore and delves into the symbolic weight of the act of braiding, based on the Dansa de les Vetes, a traditional dance of celebration and unity.
The work will be performed in the Alameda promenade, where its five performers will weave and knot in a reinterpretation of popular dance from the avant-garde. In this proposal, women no longer wait while performing tasks, but instead weave their own destiny and articulate a network of support, care, and shared identity that sometimes also creates tensions and changes direction.
The Sagunt a Escena festival is organised by the Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Universidades through the IVC, in collaboration with the Valencia Provincial Council and the Sagunto City Council. The event has established itself as one of the most significant of classical theatre in the Valencian Community.
For the residents of Sagunto and the entire metropolitan area of Valencia, the festival offers a unique opportunity to enjoy theatre and dance in a historic setting like the Roman Theatre. The performances of the 'Off Romà' are free to access, allowing culture to reach all audiences.
This year's edition kicks off with a commitment to heritage and the avant-garde, combining classic texts with contemporary proposals like the dance of Marea Danza. The complete programme can be consulted on the IVC website.
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