In Valencia's Teatro Principal, the play San Juan has its world premiere Feb. 25.

This play is the greatest show in number of actors, 45 to be exact, of Spain's National Drama Center.

Max Aub's San Juan tells the story of Jews who embarked the ship San Juan in 1938 looking for opportunities to start a better life.

According to the director, Juan Carlos Perez de la Fuente, " . . . It is something incomprehensible, that one of the most important authors of our time hasn't really been performed here in Spain. Above all, because the themes many of his plays deal with have much to do with our country."

The set is an enormous, labyrinthine ship, 20 meters wide and 11 meters tall, which comes to encompass various rows of seats, thus drawing the spectators inside the setting, hence, inside the show. It has been designed by Portuguese set designer Jose Manoel Castanheria, who has managed to place the ship on a mobile floor, which gives the effect of waves throughout the show. Cast members are Arsenio Leon, Esperanza Campuzano, Miguel Palenzuela, Ana Maria Barbany, et. al. After the play's premiere in Valencia, it will travel to Madrid in April, to later travel on to Lisbon, Portugal this summer as part of the World Exposition Lisbon 98.

San Juan runs in Valencia's Teatro Principal. 16, Esperanza Street. Valencia. For tickets and info : +34 6 3510051.

-- By Carlos Lorenzo
Spain Correspondent