The event, directed by the Tenerife-native Jose Padilla, highlighted the figure of the playwright Ángel Guimerá on the centenary of his death.

 

On 1 July, the Auditorio de Tenerife hosted the 27th Max Awards for Performing Arts gala, directed by Tenerife native Jose Padilla. The event claimed the figure of Ángel Guimerá, a playwright of Tenerife and Catalan origin, coinciding with the centenary of his death. The Spanish Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers organised the event through its foundation SGAE. The in memoriam included the performance by Blanca Paloma and st. Pedro of Si tú no estás (1996), a song by the Canarian singer Rosana.

Padilla's team consisted of choreographer Paula Quintana, wardrobe director Yaiza Pinillos, characterisation expert Rayco, stage designer Príamo Estudio (by Eduardo Moreno and Pau Fullana) and renowned composer Jose Pablo Polo in charge of the music and sound at the ceremony. The performers, all born in the Canary Islands, were Kevin de la Rosa to represent Guimerá, Carmen Cabeza as María Guerrero and Guimerá's mother, and Christian Cánovas and Almudena Puyo playing different roles. Putting the finishing touch on the ambience, the dancers Ico Botanz, Alicia Hernández Butragueño and Daniel Morales, all rooted in Tenerife, will be led by Quintana.

About twenty relevant figures in performing arts gave the winners their awards: Pedro Guerra, Chanel, Toni Acosta, Daniel Abreu, Jesús Carmona, Salva Reina, Natalia Álvarez Simó, Marta Fuenar, Juanjo Llorens, Marta González Vega, Paco Déniz, Roberto Torres, Natalia Menéndez, Fernando Navas, Carmelo Alcántara, Soraya González del Rosario, Severiano García, Mónica López, Carlota Gaviño, Aranza Coello, Irma Correa and Toni Tabares.

Since their creation 27 years ago, the Max Awards have been Spain's most prestigious performing arts awards. They honoured artists in 20 categories and included three special awards: the Max Award of Honour, which recognised the lifelong achievement of the actress Nuria Espert, who received a standing ovation from the audience. The Max Award for Amateurs or Social Initiatives honoured the work of LaTrup Asociación Teatral Universitaria Troysteatro of La Laguna (Tenerife) for its amateur efforts. The Public Applause Max Award was given this year to Señora de rojo sobre fondo gris (Lady in Red on Grey Background) by Sabre Producciones, Pentación Espectáculos, TalyCual and Islamusa.

 

The following winners were announced at the gala:

Best Theatre Production: Falsestuff. La muerte de las musas by Centro Dramático Nacional (CDN - INAEM).

Best Dance Production: Mont Ventoux by Kor’sia

Best Musical Theatre Production: Ladies Football Club by Barco Pirata and Teatros del Canal – Comunidad de Madrid

Best Street Show: Ciutat dormitori by Contenidos Superfluos

Best Production for children's, young people's or family audiences: Estación Paraíso by La Maquiné

Best Newcomer Production: Electra by Pílades Teatro

Best Theatrical Author: Iñaki Rikarte, Garbiñe Insausti, Edu Cárcamo and José Dault for Forever

Best Newcomer Author: Jorge Usón Colomer for La tuerta

Best Adaption or Version of a Theatrical or Choreographic Work: Fernanda Orazi for Electra

Best Musical Composition for Stage Performance: Raquel García Tomás for Alexina B.

Best Choreography: Olga Pericet and Daniel Abreu for La materia

Best Production Work: Teatro Clásico of Seville for El Público

Best Stage Direction: Iñaki Rikarte for Forever

Best Stage Design: Adrià Pinar for Falsestuff. La muerte de las musas

Best Costume Design: Sílvia Delagneau for Alexina B.

Best Lighting Design: Felipe Ramos and Sharon Fridman for Europa

Best Actress: Natalia Huarte for Psicosis 4.48

Best Actor: Eduard Fernández for Todas las canciones de amor

Best Female Dance Performer: Christine Cloux for Corps seul

Best Male Dance Performer: Àngel Duran for Cowards