Adeles and Bernardas is a narrative exploring a mother’s murder told through a lens that questions how violence is imagined when blood is absent. Crafted by an Alicante playwright, the work by Josi Alvarado was chosen as part of a selective moment in the SGAE Foundation’s XI Theatrewriting Laboratory. It stood out among fifteen finalists out of an initial pool of 185 submitted documents, earning a vital place in the program.
The creator offers a restrained yet piercing approach: you do not need an explicit, bloody scene to convey horror. The piece relies on reflection, mirrors that reveal more than they hide, and the tension of unseen truths. The author describes this strategy in the project presentation: even the reflections may be uncomfortable, yet they invite viewers to confront their own image in the glass. It is a meditation on perception, guilt, and memory, not a straightforward depiction of violence.
The project includes a grant of about 4,500 euros (tax included) as an incentive, with development to continue through November under the guidance of playwright Carol Lopez. In addition, the SGAE Foundation covers travel and living expenses required to support the participants as they pursue the work.
Josi Alvarado previously earned recognition by winning the 25th Ciudad de Castellón Theater Award in 2019 for Cleaning Lady’s Handbook, and he has also been connected with the Estruch Residence at the Alicante Main Theatre. His recent publications include scan1, and he has received the SGAE Ana Diosdado Theater Award, Valencia Critics Award, and Maximum Rewards. This body of work continues to evolve as it moves toward production in Benidorm.
The Alicante playwright is also credited with Trojans and other projects. A production known as damn nowhereNew directed by Santiago Sánchez has been linked to his collaborative efforts.
jury
The jury, chaired by Carol López and comprising Juana Escabias, Fernando Epelde, Anna R. Costa, Antonio Castro, and Leyre Abadía, coordinator for the SGAE Foundation’s Education Department, met on June 6, 2023 to select the final six members of the 2023 Theater Writing Lab. The non-voting secretary oversaw the deliberations and ensured the process adhered to the program’s standards. The panel’s discussions culminated in the acknowledgment of the final participants who would contribute to this year’s cohort.
Alongside the core selections, other noteworthy works and writers were highlighted in related presentations. Projects like Independent Living Office, Nuria Vizcarro, and entries such as Best Dad in the World, Enrique Cervantes, Convert by Santiago Cortegoso, Too Much Skin by Thomas Cabane, and Lower Mantle by Almudena Ramírez – Pantanella were cited as notable contenders and emerging voices in contemporary theater.