Valencia news - Man dies in firework factory blast

A considerable explosion rocked the Zamorano Caballer firework company yesterday, killing one man and injuring two, one of whom seriously.

Police have identified the man who died as Rafael Terol, aged 38, who lived with his wife and family in Tous, whilst a medical helicopter was called in to airlift a 27 year old man to La Fe Hospital in Valencia, where he was said to be in a serious condition with ninety degree burns.

A total of ten fire-fighting units attended the blaze following the explosion as did TEDAX explosives experts, who were called in to ensure that everything was in order once the flames had been extinguished.

According to the police, the explosion occurred in one of the three areas termed "dangerous" by the company, and separated from the rest of the installation by a five metre-thick wall.

Young get own production of hair the musical.

Young costa actors from 10 different countries will be showing the true spirit of integration on Tuesday as they perform the premiere of the costa’s very own production of hair the musical.

Twenty-six actors, the majority teenagers, from three different continents are eagerly awaiting the premiere at Alfaz del Pi’s Casa de Cultura on Tuesday (April 24).

Costa Blanca News attended the rehearsals this week and was able to witness the great atmosphere among the actors, all of whom live in Alfaz del Pi and surrounding towns.

Teatro Alfaz’s Marianne Hoelstad is the ‘mother’ of this project and has put a great deal of effort into bringing such a cosmopolitan group of young people together.

Since autumn and twice a week, the third floor of the Casa de Cultura has been filled with great hit songs of the 70s.

Marianne told CBNews: “I was a little frightened at the beginning due to the magnitude of the project and the language difficulties we could encounter.

“But that feeling rapidly disappeared as the young actors truly integrated and have worked marvellously.

“The show now has all the ingredients to be a huge success.”

Marianne went on to tell us how the musical has put integration on the Costa to the test and how the actors, mainly teenagers with the eldest performer aged 29, have become a real group of friends representing the many nationalities living in the area.

Producers are most grateful to Alfaz del Pi council which, via councillor Eric Svanberg, has provided the necessary space and equipment for the rehearsals.

THE SHOW

The premiere of Hair the Musical will be at 20.00 at the Casa de Cultura on April 24 and will be performed every evening at the same time until April 28 – an extra show could be scheduled on the 29 due to public demand.

One of the unique features of this version of the musical is the fact that it will be performed combining English and Spanish – languages which all the actors speak fluently.

During the rehearsal, it was wonderful to see how the young performers switched from Spanish to English and vice versa with great ease – a true reflection of what can be heard in many Costa towns today.

Hair is a story from the late 60s where Claude, a typical country boy, meets some hippies in the city. For a while he joins them in their peace, love and understanding lifestyle. Claude is on his way to Vietnam to fight, he falls in love with an upper class girl, but it could never last.

The musical includes good old favourites such as Hair, Aquarius, and I Believe In Love, sung by the very talented young voices. All the songs reached the top of the hits’ lists in the 70s and are enjoyed as much today as they were then.

ACTORS

Twenty-year-old Briton Sam Whitehead plays the role of Claude and is accompanied by Irish-Spanish 19-year-old Leticia Álvarez Shanahan in the role of Sheila. Other main parts are played by Rami Chenitir, 19, of Tunisia who plays Berger, 15-year-old Karoline Hoelstad of Norway as Jeannie, Michal Hoelstad, 16, of Norway playing Hood and the eldest actor, 29-year-old Henning Marczynski of Norway in the role of Woof.

Kelsey Williams completes the British part of the cast which also includes performers from Spain, Argentina, Canada, France, Switzerland and Poland.

Bjørn Løvland is responsible for the music and will be accompanied on stage by a four-piece band. Hazel is in charge of the dancing.

Tickets for the show can be purchased locally at Yoely, Marianne Tours and at the Casa de Cultura on the night costing 10 euros for adults and five for children.

The show has all the ingredients to become a sell-out and bookings so far are confirming it. Make sure you don’t miss this unique show and a true example of Costa integration.

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