The Sagunt a Escena festival opens its 43rd edition on Saturday with the premiere of a 17th-century Spanish comedy at the Roman Theatre in Sagunto.
El Narciso en su opinion, based on a play by Guillem de Castro written between 1612 and 1615, will be staged at 22:30. The IVC original production features more than 20 Valencian performers and creators and is considered a forerunner of the comic genre known as the comedia de figuron.
The work explores themes of ego, self-image, masks, fear versus love, and appearance versus reality. The production also presents female characters described as brave, intelligent and capable of confronting their circumstances despite limited freedom, according to the Generalitat.
The adaptation was written by Chema Cardeña and directed by Rebeca Valls. The cast includes Josep Manuel Casany, Aina Gimeno and Toni Miso. An accessible performance is scheduled for Sunday, August 2.
The opening ceremony will be attended by regional culture secretary Marta Alonso and director general of culture Ignacio Prieto.
Off Roma Programme
The festival’s Off Roma sidebar opens the same Saturday with I si fem un classic? by the company Visitants at La Glorieta. The comedy, written by Sonia Alejo, weaves texts by Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina and Calderon de la Barca with scenes reflecting the rehearsal process of a theatre company.
On Sunday, the Off Roma programme presents Marea Danza with Anudar, directed by Sara Cano, at the Paseo de la Alameda. The piece draws on Valencian folklore and the traditional Dansa de les Vetes, with five performers exploring themes of collective identity, care and interdependence.
