Don Juan en Alcalá

Don Juan in Alcalá brings to the stage the Don Juan Tenorio by José Zorrilla in the historic complex of Alcalá de Henares. The outdoor performance turns the romantic drama into a collective event linked to the festival of All Saints.

Usual date

The functions are usually held on days 31 October and 1 November. The choice responds to the tradition of representing the play around All Saints due to its religious and supernatural ending. 1 November is a national public holiday; October 31st is not generally the case.

The hours and access conditions depend on the official programming of each edition.

Place of representation

The usual setting is the Huerta del Obispo, within the walled enclosure of the Archbishop's Palace. The first editions toured different spaces in the historic centre before concentrating on this large monumental site.

Also consult the Festivals in Alcalá de Henares.

Origin and history

Alcalá de Henares represents Zorrilla's work every year since 1984. The format was born as a traveling production through urban settings and grew until it moved to the Huerta del Obispo, where it can gather thousands of spectators.

The proposal preserves the text and the essential characters of the work—Don Juan, Doña Inés, Don Luis Mejía and Don Gonzalo de Ulloa—although direction, cast, set design and artistic approach change in each edition.

What is the show like?

  • Large-format outdoor representation, with the Complutense heritage as a scenic framework.
  • Succession of scenes from the romantic drama, from the bets and challenges to the story of Don Juan and Doña Inés.
  • Professional production with cast, direction, costumes, lighting and music specific to each edition.
  • Mass attendance and free access when established by the municipal organisation.

Organisation and public

The Alcalá de Henares City Council promotes the celebration and commissions the artistic production of each edition. Theater companies, performers, technical personnel and municipal services participate. The public brings together neighbors, theater fans and visitors attracted by the city's heritage.

Reconocimientos turísticos

Madrid declared Don Juan in Alcalá a festival of tourist interest in 2002. In 2018 it obtained the declaration of Festival of National Tourist Interest, recognition linked to the singularity and projection of this popular representation.

Sources