'Lysistrata' in Pineda de Mar's XVII Mostra
- Iggy Planas
- Apr 29, 2019
- 4 min read
Yesterday afternoon we came back from Pineda de Mar after participating with our 'Lysistrata' in XVII Mostra Nacional de Teatre Amateur and spending our weekend in that village in the Maresme region. It's been several intense days, especially during the previous week before the show, but in general terms, I take a great memory back home after this experience.
The play took place on the morning of Sunday the 28th of April in Espai Sindicat of Pineda de Mar's Centre Cultural i Recreatiu with a hall packed to the brim with neighbours from the location and its surrounding that wanted to watch the latest of the plays performed in that edition of Mostra. We arrived there with a rush sensation, we had had to do some last hour changes during the last week and that was quite noticeable; also, our play was the last one performed during that weekend, so we had the responsibility to take high standards.
Finally, we succeeded, it's quite noticeable that this piece has some path behind during these three years: there's a lot of hearing and rapport, we know how to perform against all odds and generally, among veterans and new incorporations, there is a good environment on stage, and we know how to carry on with this play. This was evident in the audience's great acceptance and the greetings of the assisting ones, both audience and the festival's staff members.
What is 'Lysistrata' about?
Lysistrata (Greek: Λυσιστράτη "the one who dissolves the army") is Aristophanes’ most famous play.
We travel to Athens in 411a.C, in the middle of a war between Athens and Sparta that lasts for twenty years. Before the dark reality and stubbornness of men to keep on fighting, women, led by Lysistrata, will take a sexual strike in order to get that peace needed in Greek city-states. In the absence of making love... will they finish the war?
A Greek-style comical utopia.
Thanks to all the assisting audience who filled the grandstand of Sala Sindicat. Performing again this play with an absolute crowd is a pretty grateful sensation, same as noticing your support and laughter during the show. Though for most of the assisting ones we were an unknown theatre troupe, we were able to feel your love when on stage, which served us greatly to give the best of ourselves in this play's revival. All in all, it could be said that both actors and audience had a great time during the show. A million thanks for that!
I also want to acknowledge La Mostra's staff members for their reception, support, and care during this weekend. The fact of spending this time in a hotel full of commodities and with diets included, which some of us knew to take profit of better than others, it's been something I won't forget. Thank you very much for this chance, and we hope to see you again sooner than later.
I cannot forget to thank my fellow sufferers who I'm working with for three years now in this play, noticing their support and love both in and out of the stage. A special mention to the new incorporations who, no matter who they are or where they come from, they are always able to integrate inside this beautiful group and so dysfunctional we have. To all the cast members, thank you very much for giving the best of yourselves once again, for your professionalism, rapport on scene, and for knowing how to carry on with this play besides the adverse circumstances. To Ainoa Ortega and Aitor Lakhwani for meeting the expectations and making me have fun on stage with you in your first performance with us. Finally, I want to thank Janet Capdevila for helping us on this performance with her cover, having only rehearsed with us only for one week! To all my fellow partners, both new and veterans, a million thanks for all!
I also want to thank Laia Cardona and Carmen Ibáñez (directors) for counting and trusting me in this new adventure that 'Lysistrata' takes in this 2019, for all their advices and for allowing me (only in some rehearsals) to take the direction over with some ideas and acting exercises in order to improve the group's dynamism and the play itself.
In addition, I also want to acknowledge the work of Nacho Martí as a lighting, sound, and audiovisual technician. Thanks for coping with the circumstances once again, for his contributions and, in general terms, for the good vibes he transmitted to us during the weekend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, mate!
After this weekend, 'Lysistrata' faces its 2019 season with a good start. A weekend that has helped us to create rapport among ourselves and a fellowship feeling that we will keep using during the following gigs. All of this is the most comfortable of the possible environments, thanks to the festival's organization and Pineda de Mar's people, whose we are extremely grateful for having made this weekend an unforgettable one.
Some pictures of the weekend
'Lysistrata' continues its season 2019 in Barcelona with our next show programmed in Porta 4 (c/ de Martí 18), on the Sunday 12th of May at 19h. Tickets cost 12€, and you can book them by clicking here. If you haven't enjoyed this comedy under the direction of La Coquera Teatro yet, and you live in Barcelona, what are you waiting for!
For further information about the play and its following performances, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Seems 'Lysistrata's future will keep on going and going!
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