SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 2 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The production ‘Falsestuff. The Death of the Muses’, a creation of the National Dramatic Centre (INAEM), has clinched the title of Best Theatre Performance at the 27th edition of the Max Performing Arts Awards. The winners were announced in a gala held on Monday at the Tenerife Auditorium. The event shed light on the life and legacy of the acclaimed Canarian poet and playwright Ángel Guimerá.
‘Falsestuff’ achieved a double victory by also securing the award for the best stage design, which was attributed to Adrià Pinar. Furthermore, the play ‘Forever’ by the Basque company Kulunka, initially entering the fray with four nominations, walked away with two wins for Best Stage Direction and Best Playwriting.
Eduard Fernández claimed the Best Actor award for his role in ‘All the Love Songs’, dedicating his win to his mother who battled Alzheimer’s disease. Natalia Huarte bagged the Max for Best Actress for her performance in ‘Psycho 4.48’, emphasising the significance of this work in portraying depression and shining a light on its complexities.
Antonio Onetti, the president of the SGAE, featured in an emotionally charged moment during the gala. Accompanied on the piano by Juan José Solana, president of the SGAE Foundation, they reflected on the 125-year journey of the General Society of Authors. Solana remarked on their resilience through political upheavals, wars, and internal challenges, highlighting the organisation’s growth to over 130,000 members.
Onetti underscored the necessity for creating safe spaces free from harassment in rehearsal rooms and on stage, highlighting the stage as a unique platform for storytelling and expression of ideas and truths. He acknowledged the audience’s pivotal role in the theatrical ecosystem, expressing gratitude to them for their unwavering support:
One of the highlights of the gala was the presentation of the Max Honorary Award to the esteemed actress Nuria Espert, recognising her illustrious and productive theatrical career. Espert received a thunderous applause, and in her acceptance speech, she commended the evolution of theatre while advocating for its enduring values of purity and strength.
The gala, helmed by Tenerife playwright José Padilla, also featured the presentation of two special awards: the Max Amateur or Social Award was bestowed upon the LaTrup Asociación Teatral Universitaria Troysteatro de La Laguna (Tenerife), and the Max Public Applause was awarded to the play ‘Señora de rojo sobre fondo gris’ by Pentación Espectáculos and Sabre Producciones.
The event was attended by notable figures including the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun; the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres; the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo; the President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila; and the Mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez; among other dignitaries and luminaries from the Performing Arts world.
RECIPIENTS
The gala kicked off by presenting the Max Award for Best New Production to ‘Electra’, by Pílades Teatro. The production also clinched the title for Best Adaptation or Version of a Theatrical or Choreographic Work. Jorge Usón Colomer was recognised as the Best New Author for ‘La tuerta’. Additionally, ‘Estación Paraíso’, by La Maquiné, secured the Max Award for the Best Show for Children, Youth, or Family Audiences.
In the realm of dance, Christine Cloux received the Max Prize for Best Female Performer for ‘Corps seul’, expressing gratitude for the acknowledgment of her lifelong dedication to dance and the visibility given to dancers over 50 years of age. Ángel Durán snagged the Max Prize for Best Male Performer for ‘Cowards’, while ‘Mont Ventoux’, by Kor’sia, was named the Best Dance Show and also received the Best Choreography Prize.
Technical excellence was recognised through awards such as the Max Award for Best Lighting Design, bestowed upon Felipe Ramos and Sharon Fridman for ‘Europa’. Silvia Delagneau was honoured with the Award for Best Costume Design for ‘Alexina B.’, a production that also secured a second Max Award for Best Musical Composition for a Stage Performance.
Finally, ‘Ladies Football Club’, by Barco Pirata and Teatros del Canal – Comunidad de Madrid, received the award for Best Musical or Lyrical Show; the Teatro Clásico de Sevilla was lauded with the Max Prize for Best Production Work, and ‘Ciutat dormitori’, by Contenidos Superfluos, walked away with the prize for Best Street Show.
A total of 522 productions vied for the Max Awards, with 44 making it to the final phase. After rigorous evaluation by five territorial juries and a panel of key figures from the Performing Arts, the winners in the 20 categories of the XXVII Max Awards were decided.
