The scheduled date for the premiere in Barcelona of T'estimo si he begut was March 2020. But, do you remember what happened? The coronavirus pandemic erupted around the world and with it everything went up in the air. The production, which three of the most important theater companies in the country had been working on for some time, was no exception. Destiny, capricious as ever, decided that it was not the ideal moment for the play to see the light and urged all its members to wait until the autumn of that eventful year to be able to tour it through Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Country.
Can you imagine what would have happened if it had premiered when it was supposed to? They say everything has its time and place. And that if things don't happen when they're supposed to, it's because, perhaps, it's better that they don't happen. A year and seven months after what was planned, on Saturday, October 9, 2021, T'estimo si he begut had its first performance in Barcelona and since then it is common to sell out tickets for all sessions.
The official premiere at the Teatre Poliorama was on Thursday, October 14, a special date because it marks 25 years since the company 3XTRES has led its management. This year is an even more significant date because T de Teatre and La Brutal join as new partners of the scenic space on La Rambla.
The play is, before the curtain rises, a milestone for three reasons. The first, because it is the first time that Dagoll Dagom, La Brutal, and T de Teatre have done a production together. The second, because it is also the first time that Empar Moliner brings her stories to the stage. Some she has written for the occasion, others are part of her books T'estimo si he begut and Tot això ho faig perquè tinc molta por, awarded respectively with the Premi Mercè Rodoreda and the Premi Lletra d'Or, in 2005. And the third and last reason, the show is a milestone because, today, it is the only musical in Catalan in Barcelona.
It is the first time that Dagoll Dagom, La Brutal, and T de Teatre have done a production togetherThe comedy directed by David Selvas tells a series of stories that have as their meeting point the Bingo Poliorama. From there, a group of fun and unique workers become its narrators. Some of these stories, they say, are real. Others are the fruit of their imagination. But, like practically everything in life, there is always a part of truth and another of fiction.
Empar Moliner says her characters "are very unhappy." Perhaps she says it because in all the stories she laughs at them and their luck. And deep down, who knows, perhaps she also laughs at herself. Moliner presents us with stories of all kinds, a bit tragic but also comical. Like, for example, the parents who go to the police station to report that their son is being bullied at school and end up exposing themselves as his main tormentors. Moliner also says that her characters "are neither charismatic nor graceful." And in that, we agree, because above all, what they are is everyday. In them, we see the reflection of people we know. And in other cases, those we recognize are ourselves.
T'estimo si he begut is a caricature of life, of its contradictions and its absurdity. Of love, sex, and relationships. Sometimes you can have everything, sometimes you have nothing, and sometimes you have one thing, but you want another. And so, in a wheel that never stops turning and which we call life and David Selvas Bingo! And it's no coincidence that the stories have this historic establishment in common. The underlying message of the show is that life is like a bingo: destiny has a good handful of numbers to distribute, and each of us gets a different one. The question is: Will we be lucky?
"David considers the audience intelligent, that's why he makes this kind of humor," explains Empar Moliner. T'estimo si he begut is an invitation to play and tempt fortune. Some will go home having lost everything. Others will only be able to call line. And some lucky ones will be able to boast of having won the game against destiny.
The actors who bring this particular production to life are Mamen Duch, Marta Pérez, Carme Pla, Ágata Roca, Rosa Gàmiz, Marc Rodríguez, Mercè Martínez, and Ernest Villegas. All demonstrate their artistic quality on stage. But Mercè Martínez stands out especially, overflowing her role and giving a sublime performance. The musician who provides the soundtrack is Andreu Gallén with 6 songs composed ad hoc for the occasion, which make you leave the theater unable to get them out of your head.
The first alliance between Dagoll Dagom, La Brutal and T de Teatre passes with flying colors. Despite this, it is difficult to stand out and this case is no exception. Sometimes it lacks rhythm and a spicier, more daring humor is missed. But making comedy is not easy and this is a show that makes you laugh and reflect, which is no small feat. Personally, I'll stick with the stories of the feminist Rosa Gàmiz, the hypocrite Ernest Villegas and his one night stand. But the story starring Villegas and Martínez and their ridiculous, but endearing love is also especially good. What do they say? Do they feel like going to bingo? They have until January 23.