Romeo and Juliet takes the stage under the shadow of a donkey, alongside two other fresh productions from the University of Alicante Theater Class. These three premieres will unfold at the upcoming Paraninfo in May on the 17th, 24th and 31st.
The first show debuts on Tuesday May 17. It features a stage work by the Swiss playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt, titled Test in the Shadow of a Donkey, led by director Morgan Blasco.
On May 24, Romeo and Juliet returns in a new form created by Xiomara Wanden-Berghea. This collective production interprets the classic text by Alfonso Zurro and bridges Shakespeare with contemporary sensibilities.
May 31 brings Trojan Horses to the stage. This production comes from the Permanent University Theater Class, guided by Begona Tenes and features a script by Albert Rabbit, a National Award for Dramatic Literature recipient. The piece draws on a range of influences, including a homonymous version from 1965 and Euripides material, while weaving in contemporary perspectives on conflict and resilience.
All premieres are set at the Istanbul Auditorium, beginning at 7:00 pm, with free admission by invitation.
Test in the shadow of a donkey
Morgan Blasco directs Friedrich Durrenmatt in a sunbaked scene set in a desert landscape where a dentist argues with a donkey over whether the animal’s shade is part of the rental price. The play dances around a troubling theme with sharp wit, peeling away the layers of society to expose its rituals and pretenses. It speaks to corruption and vested interests presented as public duty, while showing how justice can be steered to fit personal or political aims. Who really embodies the donkey of the universe becomes a satirical question about power, responsibility and human vanity. The piece is a biting take on the human condition and its flaws.
Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet
Xiomara Wanden-Berghe guides a collective creation built on the text of Alfonso Zurro. The familiar feud of two families in a modern Neapolitan setting becomes a lens on today’s youth and adults. Hatred and inability to tolerate difference are explored, while the lovers strive to find space for their bond. Wanden-Berghe emphasizes how love is challenged by identity, ideology and the pressures of community. The director reflects on how social networks and media shape responses to love and conflict, and asks whether true freedom can exist when the Other is unavailable or misunderstood. The production places Romeo and Juliet in a contemporary world that tests the limits of affection, allegiance and growth, inviting audiences to consider how they relate to one another and how they treat the freedom of others. It is a meditation on love that survives in a world filled with hesitation, fear and haste, reminding viewers that love remains a powerful force even as circumstances demand caution and restraint.
Trojan horses
The Permanent University Theater Class presents Trojan Horses, directed by Begona Tenes. The play features a script by Albert Rabbit, a National Award winner for Dramatic Literature in 2019. This version nods to a 1965 homonymous adaptation by Hecuba and Jean-Paul Sartre, alongside Euripides’ original text. The production also draws on material by Jonathan Littell and highlights the voices of women poets, including Warsan Shire, whose reflections on love and conflict illuminate the piece. The work is enriched by contributions from Rafael Alberti and others, with a language that feels immediate and relevant. Conejero uses a direct approach that resonates with audiences who see echoes of current events in its pages.
The narrative confronts a timeless dynamic in which winners and losers are defined by war. Survivor women become the focus, their dignity tested as they endure, resist, and speak out against violence. The central idea probes how people and governments can ignore the humanity of individuals, turning them into objects to be bought or discarded. The story also examines the impact of war on identity, memory and resilience, and it honors the courage of those who refuse to surrender their humanity. The production invites viewers to witness the cost of conflict through intimate perspectives and steadfast resolve.