Mérida Roman Theatre premieres 'Bacanal' at Classical Theatre Festival

The International Classical Theatre Festival of Mérida opened on 22 July with the production ‘Bacanal’, a blend of dance and spoken word that examines bodily freedom, desire and the restrictions imposed by power. The work, written by Juan Carlos Rubio and directed by Chevi Muraday, is performed in the Roman Theatre of Mérida in five nightly shows through 26 July and will not tour beyond the festival.

The cast includes Juana Acosta, Toni Acosta, Carlos Hipólito, Elisa Hipólito, Mapi Sagaseta and a troupe of dancers. Set in ancient Rome when the Senate banned the bacchanalia, the piece uses movement as an act of resistance, with the creators noting that “everything that happened can happen again” and describing the play as “necessary” in a hostile world. Audience members are invited to wear white clothing so that the spectators become part of the performance’s shared rhythm.