For the third consecutive year, the Hortaleza Open Theater Festival, one of the district's most established cultural events, takes center stage in the September programming. This 21st edition has received 56 theatrical submissions within the deadline, marking a 30% decrease compared to the previous year.
The Hortaleza Municipal Board unveiled the schedule, which kicked off on Friday, September 11th, at the auditorium of the Carril del Conde cultural center (Calle Carril del Conde, 57). The opening play was Peepshow by the company Desparpajo Teatro, critically and humorously exploring information emission and consumption in the hyper-connected age. Actress Susana Rubio served as the presenter.
Initially, the district's cultural program had announced El Buscón by Quevedo, performed by Teatro Al Alba. However, the opening performance was ultimately Peepshow.
Apart from the inaugural play and the non-competitive performance Con Lorca y un cante de la mano by the association Danza a Nuestro Ritmo (scheduled for November 6th), the remaining nine theatrical pieces will be presented on Saturdays at 7:00 PM. Admission is free until the venue reaches capacity at the cultural center in the Canillas neighborhood.
The closing gala of the festival and the awards ceremony will take place on November 14th. Tickets, limited to two per person, can be collected from 5:00 PM on a first-come, first-served basis. Access will not be permitted once the performance has started, and some shows may contain content unsuitable for younger audiences.
Performances by participating companies will run until November 7th. The official closing of the festival will be on November 14th, featuring the awards ceremony and a repeat performance of the winning play.
The ten theater groups will compete for four monetary prizes: First Prize (2,800 euros), Second Prize (1,600 euros), Third Prize (1,000 euros), and Audience Award (600 euros).
The full schedule includes plays such as Páncreas (September 12th), Mujeres de luna y sangre (September 19th), El tartufo (September 26th), Mamma mia! (October 3rd), Clásico ¿Por qué no? (October 10th), La dama boba (October 17th), Almas gemelas (October 24th), Aquí no paga nadie (October 31st), Con Lorca y un cante de la mano (November 6th, out of competition), and A esta invito yo (November 7th).
