As part of the 51st Annual Meeting of the Spanish Nuclear Society (SNE), the Women in Nuclear (WiN) commission is organizing the performance of the play Helen of Troy. Six Voices. One Story. The Woman Behind the Myth on September 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the main auditorium of the San Francisco Cultural Complex in Cáceres.
This play is inspired by Miguel del Arco’s text “Judgment of a Whore.” We spoke with Inés Gallego, industrial engineer and former president of WiN, who is directing the production, to tell us about a performance that does not offer definitive answers but instead raises many necessary questions. And one certainty: it is time to listen to her.
How did the idea of staging Helen of Troy through Women in Nuclear come about?
The idea came from a request by the current WiN president to improve members’ communication skills in a playful yet effective way. Theater enhances these skills in an extraordinary way.
The play is inspired by Miguel del Arco’s Judgment of a Whore. What elements does it keep from that text and what new aspects does this choral version add?
The text remains intact, because it is a beautiful text. It was written as a monologue, and I split it into six roles so it could be performed by six women. The wide range of ages of the performers allows us to play with Helen’s life across different stages. Music also plays a fundamental role, as it marks Helen’s moods throughout the various phases of her life.
The presentation emphasizes that Helen “finally speaks in her own voice.” Why was it important to you to rescue her from the traditional version of the myth?
I have been fascinated by Greek mythology since I was a child and an avid reader of heroic tales, but it is true that almost all of the great works of antiquity feature male protagonists, and no one has cared to analyze the role and feelings of women beyond love or vengeance.
The play does not provide closed answers but instead opens questions. What reflections would you like to spark in the audience of Cáceres?
The play stirs the audience deeply, making them question everything they have been told about this story. Seeing it from another perspective—more human, more sensitive, more critical—enriches the spectator greatly.
The production features six women from the nuclear sector as actresses. What does it mean for them to step on stage and embody Helen through their professional and personal experiences?
Beyond the great effort they have made, I think they have enjoyed the play because it reflects many moments of a very hard and complex life. Telling such a difficult story in a calm and engaging way, trying to convey “their truth” to the audience to persuade them, requires deep physical, vocal, and mental control. Personally, they have overcome all their fears, and professionally they will notice in their interactions how much they have gained in self-confidence and in verbal and non-verbal expression.
What will the audience find on stage?
They will find a daring production, where exceptional music merges with a direct, raw, yet beautiful text that immerses them in an intimate story they never imagined.
How does this play connect with the mission of Women in Nuclear to give visibility and voice to women?
This is precisely the aim of the play: to give voice to a woman about whom much has been said, but whose motives and feelings have never been analyzed. Women are more approachable and visceral, and therefore, in many settings—both theatrical and professional—we are often much more credible. That is WiN’s goal: to explain the benefits of nuclear energy in a clear, engaging, and credible way.
What does it mean to you, as director and former president of WiN, to see this project come to life?
It is a great satisfaction to see the magnificent result of the play, but above all to witness the progress of colleagues—now lifelong friends—who, although always committed to communication, had never before stepped on a stage in such a challenging context, and who now seem like seasoned actresses.
What message would you give to the people of Cáceres so they don’t miss this performance?
That they have a unique opportunity to see a very original, complete, intimate, and moving play that will make them vibrate and that they will never forget. And that women must be listened to, because their perspective makes the world a much more interesting place.
