"The Notebook Thief", a monologue about the power of literature

The Notebook Thief is the story of Davide, a lame boy, who lives in a small village. Davide's future is written. He takes care of pigs, like his father… and when his father is gone, he will continue to take care of pigs. Life seems easy if it is already determined. But Davide wants to do something more… that's why, when the peddler comes to town, he steals notebooks where he writes what, for him, are letters.

"Youuuu… if you know how small things work, you will learn what is bigger!"

His point of reference is Teresa, a girl from the village who knows how to read and write. A girl everyone goes to when a letter, a newspaper, a summons needs to be read…

"- Mountains also have names – Yes, but they don't have ears to hear them!"

A monologue about fascism and the power of literature

Davide's world is completely turned upside down the day that, to his village, some deportees from Naples arrive. Fascism is everywhere and applies very harsh policies against those who do not agree with it. Among the deportees are Nicolás and his father. Two people who will mark a before and after in Davide's life. Nothing will be the same again. With words, with reading and writing, Davide opens himself to the knowledge of the world… and the world is much bigger than his village.

"Actors make people laugh because they tell the truth."

The text advances little by little

It makes us advance with the story as if we were following breadcrumbs. In a forest of ignorance, the path of crumbs leads us to the light.

"I don't know how to write, but I have created a language!"

The text talks about village life, about the life of the deportees, about a narrow and suffocating society. Nicolás and his father are the outside world. It tells us about people's desire to get ahead despite mistreatment, prison, deportation…

"In the barracks where they are, they have organized a kind of school. But it cannot be said: it is a clandestine school."

Each scene is a step forward. Davide explains and lives them. He does it in the present. Everything is in the present. What he tells us is what he lives, and he makes us live it too.

Albert Triola plays all the roles

In fact, he plays Davide… and it is Davide who plays all the roles. It is an interpretation within an interpretation. The characters that appear do so through Davide, not through Albert Triola, who manages to disappear behind Davide.

A wonderful interpretation in which the actor makes himself small to make the characters great. An interpretation that makes Albert Triola show his talent and professionalism.

The set design brings Davide back to the pig court, to the village. With very well-placed doors, it makes the pigs, the junk dealer, a stage appear… With good lighting design, the set design advances with the text.

The music, with a silent film music feel, finishes tying together and giving time and shape to the production.

"Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York. All the clouds that hung over us are buried in the deepest part of the deepest ocean."

David Pintó's direction gives the play a good rhythm

He knows how to combine accelerated moments with intense moments, laughter with tears, fear with hope. David Pintó makes Albert Triola Davide, and Davide the rest of the characters. A direction within a direction. An interpretation within an interpretation.

El lladre de llibretes, at Sala Versus Glòries, is a good monologue based on a very beautiful text full of hope. A monologue with a brilliant interpretation by Albert Triola, who deserves all the applause he receives and will receive.