Post-war Catalan Theater: Renewal and Evolution
Post-war Catalan Theater (1940s-1970s)
The Franco Regime and Theatrical Suppression
After the Spanish Civil War, Catalan theater was suppressed under Franco’s regime, disconnecting it from European trends. Professional activity resumed around 1946, often resorting to traditional dramatic forms.
Over the next forty years, figures like Josep Maria Segarra attempted to revitalize Catalan theater. However, these attempts to modernize often reverted to classical forms like dramatic poems and comedies of manners.
Renewal in the 1950s and 1960s
A renewed effort towards theatrical innovation emerged in the 1950s and 1960s. Playwrights such as Josep Palau i Fabre and Llorenç Villalonga contributed new theatrical texts. Platforms like “The Dramatic Grouping Barcelona” and “School of Art Drmàtic Adrià Gual” were established. The former aimed to reconnect Catalan theater with European trends, while the latter fostered independent theater, emphasizing its political and social influence.
Independent theater groups significantly renovated the art form through new creative approaches and by redefining the roles of the director, set designer, and performer. The creation of the Josep Sagarra award further encouraged young playwrights.
The Rise of Directors and Collective Creation
In the late 1960s, European theater underwent a shift towards directorial prominence. Expression and physicality gained importance over the author’s words. Collective creation and ensemble work became prevalent. Groups like “Els Joglars,” “Els Comediants,” and “Dagoll Dagom” spearheaded this renewal.
Development of Valencian Theater
Valencian theater was significantly influenced by Josep and Rodolf Sirera. Along with other playwrights, they participated in the “Manifesto of the Valencia theater,” advocating for a modern theater rooted in historical tradition, incorporating classical authors, standardized language, and securing financial and social support. Rodolf Sirera’s work is characterized by formal experimentation and the integration of elements from other media, particularly focusing on commentary.
Manuel Molina is another notable playwright, recognized for his reflections on Valencian history.
Basic Features of Contemporary Playwriting (1970s-Present)
Recovery of the Text
During the 1970s and much of the 1980s, theater prioritized spectacle over text, with companies like Els Joglars, Els Comediants, and La Fura dels Baus emphasizing physicality and imagery. However, the late 1980s saw a resurgence of text-based theater, mirroring a European trend. The word regained its central role, emphasizing abstraction and action. Traditional models were challenged, influenced by playwrights like Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett. Benet i Jornet became a key figure in this renewal, influencing younger authors.
Institutional Support and New Venues
Institutions established since the beginning of democracy, such as the Free Theater of Barcelona and dramatic centers in Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, strengthened theatrical infrastructure. New venues also played a crucial role in supporting emerging playwrights.
The Multifaceted Playwright
A new type of playwright emerged, actively involved in various aspects of the creative process, often as directors or even actors. Sergi Belbel exemplifies the author-director, while Carlos Alberola in Valencia represents the author-director-actor model.
Prominent Figures and Trends
Sergi Belbel and Lluïsa Cunillé are prominent figures in contemporary Catalan drama. Belbel, internationally recognized, evolved from minimalism to a more realistic style blending drama and humor. Cunillé’s work features fragmented plots and dialogues, shifting the focus of conflict from the stage to the audience.
Richness, Dynamism, and Adaptation
The late 20th and early 21st-century theater scene is characterized by richness and dynamism, adapting to the diverse spectacles of post-industrial society. Authors like Belbel, Benet i Jornet, Sirera, and Alberola have also contributed to music, television, and film.