Beckett Hall Summer Workshop Spotlight

Overview

The Beckett Hall in Barcelona is hosting its Obrador d’Estiu (Summer Workshop) next July. This year the program shines a light on new dramaturgies from the Balearic Islands, thanks to a joint effort between Sala Beckett and the Teatre Principal de Palma. Three emerging playwrights—Sergio Baos, Maria Garalve, and Josep R. Cerdà—will see their texts performed as dramatized readings, each directed by a notable theater professional.

Featured Plays

Sergio Baos – For everything that unites us

• Date: July 15
• Director: Sergio Baos (also the playwright)
• Synopsis: A local political party candidate maps out a flawless plan to win the upcoming elections, leaving no room for improvisation. The piece explores how rigid strategies can clash with human unpredictability.

Maria Garalve – The Bookstores

• Date: July 16
• Director: Agnès Llobet
• Synopsis: This work tells the true story of Sylvia Beach and Adrienne Monnier, the visionary founders of Paris’s Shakespeare & Company and La Maison des Amis des Livres. Though they shared the same street, rue de l’Odéon, they collaborated rather than competed, reshaping 20th‑century literary culture. The play earned the XVII Llorenç Moyà Prize.

Josep R. Cerdà – The Second Line

• Date: July 17
• Director: Sergi Belbel
• Synopsis: Set on a chilly Santa Lucía night in a Mallorca hotel, the drama follows Hans, a bankrupt crypto‑investor lost in the digital world, and Toni, a longtime waiter clinging to dignity. Their routine shatters when a fierce storm and a mysterious woman named Maria force them, along with guilt‑ridden security guard Matías, to seek refuge in the eerie Grand Hotel Vista Mar.

Why This Workshop Matters for Teens

• Fresh Voices: The selected texts come from young Balearic authors, offering perspectives that resonate with today’s youth.
• Accessible Themes: Topics like political ambition, friendship, and surviving unexpected crises are easy to relate to and discuss.
• Creative Inspiration: Watching how playwrights turn real‑life events into stage stories can spark interest in writing, directing, or acting.
• Community Connection: The workshop brings together Barcelona and Palma theater scenes, showing how regional collaboration enriches the arts.

How to Get Involved

• Attend the Readings: Free or low‑cost tickets are usually available through the Beckett Hall website or the Teatre Principal de Palma box office.
• Join Workshops: Look for accompanying talks or backstage tours that let teens meet the directors and actors.
• Share Your Thoughts: After each performance, consider writing a short review or posting on social media using the workshop’s official hashtag.
• Explore Further: If a play catches your eye, check out the playwrights’ other works or look for local youth theater groups that perform similar material.

Conclusion

The Beckett Hall Summer Workshop offers a vibrant snapshot of contemporary Balearic theater. By presenting Sergio Baos’s political satire, Maria Garalve’s tribute to pioneering booksellers, and Josep R. Cerdà’s atmospheric hotel drama, the program invites teens to experience stories that are both thought‑provoking and entertaining. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a curious audience member, or simply looking for a fun cultural outing in July, these readings are worth a seat.

Source

Images Credit: www.diariodemallorca.es