The 32nd edition of the Alcoy Theatre Festival is already underway, bringing a steady stream of performances and vibrant cultural energy to the city. This Monday the Head Theater opened the stage competition, a showcase that will unfold throughout the week and feature a total of 23 performances. Unlike some years, only a single production comes from outside the Community, underscoring the festival’s strong local footprint and its role in spotlighting Alcoy’s dynamic theatre scene. This pattern reflects a long-standing tradition that continues to grow stronger with each passing year.
After the opening, the festival returned to the same venue with Consciència, a production by the Alcoyan company La Dependent. The play follows a family as it navigates a dramatic 180-degree shift when a seriously ill grandmother makes the choice to embark on a spiritual retreat. She keeps her whereabouts hidden and expresses a clear wish for voluntary isolation, setting off a chain of inquiries and revelations as the family members encounter a variety of unique characters and experience moments that challenge their beliefs and bonds. The narrative explores themes of care, secrecy, and the search for meaning within a family unit under pressure, inviting audiences to reflect on duty, autonomy, and the sometimes uncanny ways in which truth emerges under pressure. [citation needed]
On Monday night another notable event took place at Teatro Calderon, where Begoña Trend’s Viva was performed. The production is described as a version of a play that will be staged again at the Cultural Center on Tuesday at 10:15 in the morning, offering attendees an opportunity to engage with the text from a fresh interpretive angle and to experience the same story through a renewed artistic lens. [citation needed]
The afternoon schedule promises a robust lineup with Closka at 18:15 in Agora Hall, Maror at the Calderon Theater at 20:00, and Anhel at the Main Theater at 22:45. Each performance contributes to a diverse program that balances experimental work with more traditional forms, providing something for every taste and age group. The orchestration of venues around Alcoy helps maximize accessibility for residents and visitors alike, encouraging a broad audience to explore new voices in contemporary theatre while also celebrating the city’s enduring theatre heritage. [citation needed]