The 35th edition of the Alcoy Theater Showcase - Valencian Community Performing Arts Fair has recognized the quality and innovation of three shows: El Camino de la Sal, NoDiva, and Flop. The professional jury, composed of prominent cultural managers, actors, journalists, and critics, valued the uniqueness of each proposal, from irony and reflection on human relationships to the combination of registers in cabaret and choreographic originality.
El Camino de la Sal, a new creation by Paco Zarzoso for Hongaresa Teatre, was highlighted by the jury as a "mischievous, ironic, and self-critical text, with a marked contemporary spirit, unfolding with theatrical intelligence and poetic precision." The staging was praised for its fluidity and its ability to blend bewilderment, humor, and a lucid look at the human condition.
The short performance NoDiva, by the emerging group LaEstal led by Marta Estal, received the award for "combining very diverse registers to shape a cabaret where the popularization of opera dialogues high culture and everyday parody." The jury emphasized the precision with which the piece transforms individual experience into a collective view of the artistic profession.
The street dance piece Flop, by renowned Andalusian choreographer Antonio Ruz, was awarded for its "original choreographic writing, rich in discoveries, with an unconventional beginning that projects simplicity and audience complicity." The freshness of its physical language and its contemporary take on the fragility of relationships were highlighted.
The Showcase has confirmed its role as a key space for the dissemination of Valencian performing arts, opting for "own, unique voices and marked authorship" over repetitive formulas. The event saw a 6.5% increase in spectators compared to the previous year, reaching 4,258 people, despite a slight reduction in the number of proposals.
The organization celebrated the positive outcome, emphasizing the commitment of the Alcoy City Council to save the 35th edition in the face of a budget cut from the IVC. Artistic director Josep Policarpo highlighted the audience's positive reception and the integration of new generations with more veteran companies. Culture councilor Elisa Guillem emphasized the sense of camaraderie within the sector, despite protests from some associations regarding the management of the IVC and the Conselleria de Cultura.
Looking ahead, the fair's management aims to consolidate its national standing, attracting more programmers and strengthening the presence of Valencian creators. The long-term goal is to facilitate the contracting of Valencian performing arts, a project considered shared and requiring the collaboration of regional institutions.
