The TNC performs "an act against oblivion" dedicating the new season to memory

The Teatre Nacional de Catalunya (TNC) asserts itself as a public weaver of narratives with a season dedicated to one of Spanish society's great pending issues. "The lack of memory is a moral and historical crime. I believe that in this country we have committed them," defends its artistic director, Carme Portaceli, recalling the philosopher Emili Lledó. In her third year leading the theater, a total of 41 productions have been programmed, ten more than a year ago, with big names like Mercè Rodoreda, Almudena Grandes, and Jane Austen conquering the Sala Gran. "This season is an act against oblivion," Portaceli emphasizes.

In a world that is no longer liquid and has become dangerously gaseous, with the return of war to a forgetful Europe and the replacement of truth by opinion, Portaceli wonders what needs to be done. "In decisive moments, we have taken philosophers and artists as reference so they could explain other truths to us and serve as guides," she maintains, "when everything is shaking and you are afraid, the only stable foundation are convictions and ideas on which you can rescue the memories that help you see what has led you to where you are."

The authors and works with which the TNC wants to open the eyes of spectators in the 2023/2024 season will kick off with a Catalan classic, La plaça del Diamant, highlighting those small stories, most often starring women and always diluted among great historical events such as the Second Republic, the Civil War, and the dictatorship. The adaptation of Mercè Rodoreda's work, directed by Carlota Subirós, will inaugurate the season on September 28 and will be the one that goes on tour next year, first locally and then through Europe, as has been done this year with Terra baixa (reconstrucció d'un crim). Rodoreda will once again take to the theater stage with Flors i viatges, taking her words to the war in Ukraine and accompanying them with those of Svetlana Aleksiévitx.

Historical memory will also be present with the theatrical adaptation of La madre de Frankenstein by Almudena Grandes. Portaceli coincided with the writer during her time at the Teatro Español and it was then that she proposed bringing one of her works to the stage. Although Grandes became nervous and felt dizzy, she relented and opted for one of her Episodes of an Interminable War, the fifth, for Portaceli to direct. The play will premiere at the María Guerrero theater in Madrid and then come to Barcelona, with a cast made up of Blanca Portillo and Pablo Derqui.

The third great writer who will pass through the TNC will be the universal Jane Austen, playing with memory by inventing it. Els Watson will premiere, the unfinished novel by a shrewd and modern author that has now been continued by the English playwright Laura Wade. A total of 18 characters will interpret it, with Laia Manzanares, Laura Aubert and Mercè Arànega.

Another great name that can never be missing in a theater season is William Shakespeare. After this season's Othello, the British writer will return with La tempesta, produced by the Institut València de Cultura (IMV). Portaceli will thus continue her project of strengthening ties with other theaters with which she shares a language. She will also do so with Altres formes, led by the Teatre Principal de Palma. With this work, small stories will be recovered again, this time, starting from the outbreak of gender violence that occurred during confinement.

The focus on memory will extend beyond national borders, with the Balkan war in La filla de l'est, by Clara Usón. This will not be the only international conflict to set foot in the TNC. Iran will be present with És, a play directed by Parnia Shams about girls who try to get ahead in a society that treats them unfairly. The show will be in Persian and will have subtitles. Ties will also be woven with Lebanon, with Barcelona calling Beirut, a cycle that will premiere bringing the Mediterranean country closer for five days with theater, dance and music shows. In this case, the performances will be in Arabic and will also be subtitled.

"I am convinced that the more we advance, the more we have to return to the origin," deepens the artistic director of the TNC, "not only do we have to restore memory, but by doing so we can create a better world because we know where we come from." This season, which Portaceli defines as diverse, including dance with María Pagés, is expected to exceed the almost 109,000 spectators that the Barcelona theater has registered this year, with 76% occupancy and a record number of season tickets, with a total of 5,643, also achieving the highest figure for young people, with more than 1,000. Tickets will go on sale starting September 1 and the price will increase by 3 euros after not having touched it in recent years. Season tickets will have a 49% discount until the end of August.