If you ask about the great poets of the 20th century, it is very likely that the list of names (García Lorca, Pasolini, etc.) will include Fernando Pessoa, who, with the permission of Luís de Camões, is possibly the best-known Portuguese writer in the world. Even today, in the 21st century, Passoa’s poems go straight to the heart and soul of those who read them. One reader who was moved by the artist’s poetry is Pep Tosar, a director, actor and author who has already created other multi-disciplinary shows based on the life and works of well-known poets: Federico García, about García Lorca, Poseu-me les ulleres, about Vicent Andrés Estellés and La casa en obres, about Blai Bonet. Now he is repeating the experience with Pessoa, but also with the three main heteronyms he used (Alberto Caeiro, Alvaro de Campos and Ricardo Rei) and, as a counterpoint, the figure of Ofèlia de Queirós, who was the poet’s great love. The biography of Pessoa, who spent part of his childhood and youth in Durban (South Africa) and also two brief works by ,Antonio Tabucchi which refer to the poet’s life through dreams and hallucination (Els tres últims dies de Fernando Pessoa and El somni de Fernando Pessoa, poeta i fingidor) form the structure of this show, which uses a combination of artistic languages. In The Faker Pep Tosar gives voice to the poet by reciting his poems or reviewing creations in prose, reading letters or introducing interviews, while the members of the Hotel Iocandi circus company (the circus artists Tomeu Amer and Griselda Juncà, with vocalist and cellist·Joana Gomila) use tightrope walking and acrobatics to allude to Pessoa’s heteronyms. Ms Gomila plays live music, along with the composer and pianist Elisabet Raspall and the composer and guitarist Eduard Iniesta, who specialises in the Portuguese guitar. As in Pep Tosar’s previous productions, video plays a leading role, in a show that includes the participation of the Mallorcan director Agustí Torres and features interviews with Pessoa specialists, translators of the poet and various other experts, as well as images of the Lisbon that emanates from the author’s work .
The show is brought to the stage by Oblideu-vos de nosaltres, a company led by Pep Tosar who, from an aesthetic and theatrical perspective, uses his productions to reflect on the human condition and its diversity, inviting the audience to be aware of the complexity of existence.
A 2021 Barcelona Grec Festival, Teatre Principal de Palma de Mallorca and Oblideu-vos de nosaltres production.
With the support of the Government of Catalonia, Ministry of Culture and the Institute of Language and Culture of the Balearic Islands (ILLENC).
In cooperation withTeatre Sagarra de Santa Coloma de Gramenet.
Open researhal. Booking required.
Director and performer: Pep Tosar Dramaturgy: Pep Tosar, Evelyn Arévalo Piano: Elisabet Raspall Vocals and synthesizer: Joana Gomila Circus: Griselda Juncà, Tomeu Amer Scenography: Roger Orra Lighting design: Sergio Roca Sound: Jonbi Belategui Video camera: Agustí Torres Video assistant: Claudia Clemente Video editing and montage: Pep Tosar, Manual Interviewees: Maria José de Lancastre, Richard Zenith, Jerónimo Pizarro, Perfecto Cuadrado, Manuela Nogueira, Nicolau Dols Press office: Néstor Lozano Communication: Gabriela Marsal (Suika)Video: Àngel Grisalvo (Lantonia Films) Graphic design: Francina Planas Poster: David Marín Assistant director: Evelyn Arévalo Executive producer: Gabriela Marsal (Suika) Distribution: Magrana Escena Photography: Martí Fradera
Aknowledgements: Casa Fernando Pessoa, Estação Ferroviária do Rossio - Infraestrutura de Portugal, DLA Piper, Restaurante Martinho da Arcada, Castelo de S. Jorge, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, A Brasileira do Chiado, Monasterio de los Jerónimos de Santa María de Belém, Maria Magdalena Adrover, Claudia Clemente, Pedro Mariguesa
