If José Estruch (1916-1990) had occupied a chair at the Alicante Theatre’s Directors’ desk yesterday, he would have seen a life unfold on stage: a biography rich with theatre, exile, imprisonment, resistance, and a steadfast dedication to teaching and experimental performance. Estruch is remembered as one of the most influential teachers and stage directors of the 20th century, and his presence lingered in the room as Carlos Hipólito, Blanca Portillo, and Juan Carlos Pérez de la Fuente shared the stage to reflect on his legacy. From Estruch’s words, a procession of winners emerged, bearing honors named after him and spotlighting the work presented on the Directors’ boards during the last season, spanning eight categories. This marks the sixth edition of the awards since the Alicante Theatre and the Gil-Albert Institute introduced the initiative in 2016.
The ceremony, a symbol of love for theatre and a tribute to a dedicated teacher, carried the same fervor as the prior year. There was no single host server on stage, but there was a living montage of Estruch’s life—music, a chorus, and the presence of Deputy Director Maria Dolores Padilla, all weaving a narrative that surpassed last year in reach and attendance during the premiere.
Organized by Miguel Bañuls for a second year, La Llàntia earned the first prize for its contribution to Valencian Ensemble Performing Arts. The Illicitana rail company received recognition as a benchmark in theatre research, production, teaching, and display. Art director Paco Macia and the company’s actress and producer Eloisa Azorin accepted the statuette from Abel Guarinos, the general director of the Institut Valencià de Cultura.
Describing the award as a nod to the work carried out since the theatre’s founding, Maciá expressed that the team would “continue to gallop on the same horse.” The trajectory of Cristina Phenollar and Manolo Ochoa was recognized with Llàntias for their professional careers in the performing arts. The tribunal also honored two friends of the creative world: playwright and theatre director Juan Luis Mira and actress Mila García, who received awards for their enduring contributions. For Phenollar, the recognition signified a kind of reconciliation with their city; for Ochoa, it marked an emotionally significant moment—part of a life steeped in theatre.
The third award of the night celebrated the best supporting performance by the entire cast of an inspired production based on the work Tribune of the Pardo Bazan. This drama charts the era of women workers in A Coruña’s Tobacco Factory. Winners included Tamara Canosa, Susana Dans, Merce Castro, Isabel Naveira, Covadonga Berdiñas, Ana Santos, and Ledicia Sola. The second Main Llàntia was presented by Maria Dolores Padilla, Deputy Director of the Main Theatre. The winner acknowledged the collective effort of all the women in theatre, sharing the moment with the audience as a tribute to their contributions.
Blanca Portillo and Carlos Hipólito opened the night’s conversations with the premiere of the Estruch Awards for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively. On stage, Hipólito accepted the Best Lead Actor award, Llàntia, for a performance described as outstanding and resonant with the spirit of Estruch’s legacy. The ceremony featured reflections by Antony Manresa, who described the recipient as someone whose work embodies a profound program in Spain, and who admired Estruch as a man who showed that theatre can be a beloved place to be.
Llàntia also honored Blanca Portillo in the Best Actress category, thanks to a production led by Mª Jesús Martín and presented by Entrecajas. Portillo, who earned the award for a work where the celebrated playwright Juan Mayorga shines through, could not attend in person due to a shoot, but recorded a message praising Estruch as her mentor and hero. She shared that receiving an award named after him was a proud continuation of his influence, and she asked for guidance from the stage legacy he left behind.
In the Best Writing category, Alvaro Tato received the Llàntia for his dramaturgy and for the adaptation of Baroque-era tales featuring women. The award was handed by Mª José Argudo, director of the Diputación de Alicante Department of Culture, whose verse tribute celebrated the women gracing the stage.
Juan Carlos Pérez de la Fuente accepted the Best Director prize for his direction of a tetralogy inspired by Benito Pérez Galdós, a project also responsible for the show’s set design. The award was presented by Deputy Director Maria Dolores Padilla, who remembered Estruch as the memory of the country, a master of teaching and aesthetics, and who lauded his contribution to Spain’s theatre heritage.
The final prize of the evening honored the best show—the esteemed Pillow Man, a creation by Martin McDonagh that director David Serrano brought to life with actors Belén Cuesta, Ricardo Gómez, Manuela Paso, and Juan Codina. Transport Council Member Manuel Villar delivered Llàntia to Lola Graiño, the executive producer, in recognition of the striking collaboration that brought the performance to life.