# Mérida Classical Theatre Festival 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mrida-classical-theatre-festival-2026 > Updated: 2026-07-28T20:40:46.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3. The 72nd International Classical Theatre Festival in Mérida opened its summer program with a dance‑theatre rendition of Spartacus in the historic Roman Theatre. The festival’s second flagship work, Bacanal, premiered on 22 July as a hybrid dance and spoken‑word piece examining bodily freedom, desire and the limits imposed by power. Written by Juan Carlos Rubio and directed by Chevi Muraday, it ran for five consecutive nights through 26 July, with audience members invited to wear white to become part of the performance’s rhythm. From 31 July to 2 August the programme expanded to include three classical productions – Euripides’ tragedy Medea, the drama Alejandro y el eunuco persa, and the mythic Jasón y las Furias – alongside the contemporary Bacanal, which the organisers describe as a modern take on The Bacchae. The Medea staging featured an inclusive cast that incorporated visually‑impaired actors and was adapted for audiences aged 14 and over. Actress Beatriz Solís highlighted the value of the festival’s extensions for performers. The Roman Theatre, with a capacity of more than 3,000 seats, continues to draw local and international audiences, reflecting the festival’s ongoing aim to balance traditional Greco‑Roman tragedies with newer, diverse dramaturgy. Overall, the festival runs through July and August, offering nightly shows that blend classical heritage with contemporary storytelling. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-28: Mérida Classical Theatre Festival 2026 Showcases Euripides Classics and New Works Mérida's 2026 Classical Theatre Festival runs July 31‑August 2, staging Euripides' “Medea” and other classics alongside new work “Bacanal”, with inclusive casting and a historic Roman venue. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mrida-classical-theatre-festival-2026-showcases-euripides-classics-and-new-works ### 2026-07-20: Mérida Roman Theatre premieres 'Bacanal' at Classical Theatre Festival Mérida’s International Classical Theatre Festival debuted ‘Bacanal’ on 22 July, a dance‑theatre piece about body freedom set in ancient Rome, performed at the Roman Theatre with a cast led by Juana and Toni Ac‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mrida-roman-theatre-premieres-bacanal-at-classical-theatre-festival ### 2026-07-03: Mérida Classical Theatre Festival premieres 'Spartacus' dance The 72nd Mérida Classical Theatre Festival opened with 'Spartacus', a dance‑theatre piece starring Miguel Ángel Muñoz and performed by Düsseldorf Ballet Theatre, blending ballet, narration and original music at 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mrida-classical-theatre-festival-premieres-spartacus-dance --- Cite as: Mérida Classical Theatre Festival 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mrida-classical-theatre-festival-2026