ALICANTE MAIN THEATER
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Producing: Varela Productions. Stage coordination: Mario Gas
In tribute to the luminous personality of Adolfo Marsillach, a distinguished actor, playwright, stage director, and writer, this production unfolds with a careful blend of classical verses from the 16th and 17th centuries and witty or lyrical pieces from a range of writers. The performance reads like an elegant, dramatized recital that rewards attentive listening and clear vocal projection from Natalia Millán and Blanca Marsillach. Standing at lecterns, they infuse a measured tempo and nuanced phrasing, turning the recital into something intimate rather than routine. For audiences in North America, the approach feels refreshingly conversational, inviting viewers to lean in and follow the cadence as if listening to a private poetic conversation.
This program, originally conceived as “A Night with the Classics,” premiered in 1996 with the collaboration of Adolfo, María Jesús Valdés, and Amparo Rivelles, who guided the poetry selection. The current collaboration between Marsillach and Millán—under the direction of Mario Gas—preserves the trio’s spirit while highlighting the strong bond between the two leads. The result is a poetic language that respects the music of the words and the sincerity of the delivery, bridging generations of theater lovers across the Atlantic. North American audiences will notice a warmth and clarity that translate well across cultures, making timeless lines feel immediate and alive.
Selections like an anonymous fifteenth-century ballad line such as “Why did Perico kiss me?” and other unnamed verses, alongside lines from Gongora—such as the playful Easter quip aimed at the spring’s end—are presented with a deft hand. The recital alternates with humorous riffs, quips about a certain presumptive gentleman, and witty paradoxes such as “Scorching ice, frozen fire.” The wit is pointed, allowing the audience to savor the satirical bite found in Quevedo’s verses directed at Gongora. These moments function as a bridge between centuries, letting modern listeners discern how poetic devices travel through time and still land with impact.
The two leads weave their voices together with the on-screen presence of Marsillach, creating a dynamic that feels almost collaborative, even when the poetry is presented in a video excerpt. Occasionally, the performance introduces variations that gently interrupt the routine, keeping the experience fresh. References to romances such as Lope de Vega’s “This is love” and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz’s intimate lyricism appear alongside deep religious meditations like Saint John of the Cross’s “Dark Night of the Soul,” Saint Teresa’s contemplations, and Miguel Hernández’s elegies. The texture is varied, moving from tender affection to existential inquiry without losing momentum.
One standout aspect is Juan Carlos Mulder’s original score, which provides a mellow, contemplative atmosphere that supports irony, spiritual beauty, and the exploration of universal questions. The mood gently anchors the evening, allowing the language to resonate with audiences whether they are seasoned classical theater-goers or newcomers from Canada and the United States exploring Spanish-heritage drama for the first time. The program motto—this distance bridged by art—appears as a quiet thread throughout.
Presented at the Alicante International Classical Theater Festival, Adolfo the Great’s appearance during the festival underscores a celebrated lineage in which poetry and performance intersect to reveal truth and beauty. The production invites North American viewers to experience a nuanced, humane evening where literature and performance converge in a single, shared moment of theatrical reflection. This cross-cultural exchange captures the essence of classical theater: a living dialogue across ages and borders.
At its core, the production is a reflection on voice, presence, and memory. It presents a curated conversation among poets, actors, and composers, inviting the audience to listen closely, hear the rhythm, and feel the sincerity in every line. The result is a compelling, accessible experience that translates well to audiences beyond Spain, one that promises a memorable encounter with the classics and with a masterful performance legacy.
Notes of poetic exchange, musical atmosphere, and careful stagecraft combine to form a memorable evening that continues to resonate with theater lovers wherever they may be. The fusion of tradition and immediacy makes this an exemplar of how classical material can be reimagined for contemporary audiences, preserving its integrity while inviting fresh interpretation.