National Amateur Theater Competition returns to Mutxamel, inviting audiences to experience theater in a unique way. After numerous companies from across the country participated, four finalists were selected by a judging panel for this edition.
From Friday, October 6 to Saturday, October 14, locals and visitors alike can enjoy free performances at the House of Culture Auditorium Theatre. The four chosen plays will be staged on these dates, with an award ceremony held on Saturday, October 21 to crown the winner.
Below are the event details and the schedule for each production in the finals.
Friday the 6th – “Ron Carter’s Last Thought”
The competition opens with “Ron Carter’s Last Thought,” a production by Elche-based Branda Theater. Directed by Sonia Sierra, with performances by Alberto Galera and Paco Peraile.
Participation in the performances is completely free!
The narrative follows Ron Carter and his cellmate Billy as they reflect on life, mortality, trust, fear, and desire. It is Ron’s final night before facing lethal injection, and both men, condemned for their choices, share a lifetime of hardship.
Over roughly sixty minutes, audiences are invited to dive into intimate, human reflections that unfold in the hours leading up to an impending death.
Saturday the 7th – “100 Square Meters”
Written by José Luis Rubio and directed by Ildefonso Hernández, this comedy from the Adeshora Theater company follows Sara’s story. The real estate offer appears perfect: a roomy, bright apartment with a beautiful view and an affordable price.
Yet a twist awaits: Lola, the apartment’s owner, will inhabit the space until the end of her life. Lola’s fragile health and the habits that sustain her spark the drama, prompting Sara to decide whether to take the property. Her choice sets off a sequence of events that could alter history.
Sara’s decision triggers a chain of consequences that push boundaries and test loyalties in surprising ways.
Friday the 13th – “Angoixa”
Mariano Lloret presents the company’s show “Angoixa,” featuring Joana Estruch, Adri Sanz, Sergi Bono, and Pepa Rovira of the Amphitheater Group. The story centers on Victor, whose battles with depression and anxiety escalate as he searches for an escape.
Victor turns to creative outlets as a way to cope, selling his plays to amateur groups. One day, life takes a dramatic turn, pushing him to embark on a difficult journey.
The narrative exposes the superficial layer of society and greed, challenging how people navigate life when faced with pressure and choices.
Saturday the 14th – “Darwin’s Tortoise”
Concluding the festival, the ninth National Amateur Theater Competition features “Darwin’s Tortoise,” a drama by Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga, produced by Theatre Circle.
The plot follows an elderly woman who visits a renowned historian to challenge certain aspects of his book. The visitor reveals herself as Harriet, a tortoise companion of Charles Darwin from the Galapagos Islands in 1836.
Harriet and the professor examine divergent histories and the ways memory and evidence shape our understanding. Their dialogue uncovers contrasts between established facts and personal experiences, offering a provocative look at history.
21 Saturday – Award Ceremony Gala
After the performances, a jury led by Rafael Garcia Berenguer selects the winner, to be announced by the President of Mutxamel City Council.
The ninth edition of the National Amateur Theater Competition in Mutxamel offers a vibrant celebration of fresh storytelling and a platform for emerging artists to share culture and creativity.