Alicante Arniches Theater
**
Related to the Spanish playwright Lope de Vega, the drama unfolds under the careful direction of Adrian Novella, with a Valencia-based company at its core. The piece draws inspiration from Vega’s experiences in Valencia, where he attended the wedding of Philip III to Margaret of Austria and the lively masquerade that followed. The work, written around 1600, reveals how the author’s personal life and the social climate of his time shaped a prolific output. The play is a bright, diluted comedy featuring misadventures, misunderstandings, classic intrigues, masked identities, and surprising reversals that drive the action forward and offer fresh theatrical vitality.
Does the noble, beautiful young widow want to keep the memory of her late husband and avoid remarriage? She opts for independence, turning away many suitors while maintaining control over her destiny. The arrival of a certain man unsettles her previously firm resolve, stirring private wishes and the public image she projects.
Festive spirit and folklore are woven through La Valenciana, with contributions from Xavi Giménez, Joan Isern, Antonio Lafuente, Mar Mandli, and Raqel Molano. The choreographic score is crafted by Alejandra García, and the dramaturgy of director Adrián Novella emphasizes Vega’s nuanced feminism in this youth-focused adaptation. The original text remains Valencian in flavor, retaining the core themes while updating the context for modern audiences.
Aesthetic clarity and lively comedy characterize the performance. The action plays out with confident, expressive staging as the cast navigates the social games at the heart of the plot. Viewers are invited to decide which suitor earns approval, while popular musical motifs sing through the scenes with renditions reminiscent of classic love songs. The refrain emphasizes the timeless pull of romance, echoing sentiments that resonate across generations.
Electronic music makes a subtle appearance, bridging eras and highlighting the contrasts between traditional and contemporary sensibilities. The show nods to the Bakalao route and the evolving courtship narratives of Valencia and Alicante during the late twentieth century, illustrating how human differences and common aspirations endure across time.