Madness in Valencia
Trafalgar Studios, London
Love is madness and madness is love. That is perhaps not all we know on earth, but it is enough to form the basis of a comedy set largely in a lunatic asylum. Lope de Vega was a contemporary of Cervantes. Indeed he is mentioned in Don Quixote as a literary rival. The compliment is repaid by de Vega by having one of the asylum inmates – a philosopher – believe he is Spain’s most famous novelist. Further Don Quixote themes are found in Madness in Valencia when the two central lovers – Floriano and Erifila – are at the happiest when playing chivalric characters and this they can only do after being certified as insane. The play opens with Floriano in trouble. He has killed a nobleman – 10th in line to the throne, no less – and needs to hide. His friend suggests he feigns lunacy and go into the madhouse. Erifila then appears with her lover, having eloped together. But love’s illusion disappears as they quarrel, and he robs her of her dress and any other possessions she has. Seeing this woman in underwear only, the keeper of the asylum decides she is mad and promptly locks her away.