La Nova Onada – Magazine Teatre Barcelona

Leticia Martín

The challenge in front of you Leticia Martín In her first year as director of the Greek she is Major. The eight years of Cesc Casadesús They left very good mouth, especially thanks to the impetus offered to local artists, The green into Pere Jou and Aurora Bauzànot to mention the Choir of girls from the Orfeó Catalàwho turned around the world with Brace of the Australians Gravity & Other Mythsor Azkona & Toloza. About a hundred international programmers, from New York in Taipei, have passed through Barcelona every year, placing the Greek in a privileged position in Europe, near Avignon, despite the considerable difference in budget.

Hence Martin has maintained certain synergies with his predecessor. For example, it has the second part of the Cadella Trilogy Força de la Brazilian Carolina Bianchi, The Brotherhoodthe first chapter of which we saw in the Free two years ago. Or has given him the opening of the festival to Yoann bourgeoisFrench circus artist who has offered us Mined (Greek 2018) and the wonderful Celui who tumpens (Greek 2023). At the same time, returns to count Milo rauthat we discovered with Hate Radio (Grec 2013) and is a regular on our billboard. Comes with a show that is a few years old, Medea’s Kinderenwhen he directed the NTgent, before leaving last year at the Wiener Festwochen.

Another classic that will return to Greek, and that has not been trampled on the festival for years, is Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and will do with Ihsane. Last year he was at the Liceu with his company, the Grand Ballet of Genèvewhich heads from 2022. We will also have the Portuguese Tiago Rodriguesa regular from our house, especially of Temporada Alta, of whom we will see the work he set up last year with the Comédie Française and who premiered at the Popa Palace in Avignon. Less obvious is the presence of Greek Christos papadopoulosfrom whom in Greek 2022 we saw Larsen cand that now comes to us with My fiecer ignorant step.

All this, more or less, we know. These are the names that have largely marked the last decade and a half of contemporary European theater. A festival needs to bring new sap. And an artistic director, leaning on names that can take place as long as he lasts his term. And here we have at least four bets in this regard: Lisaboa Hubrechts, ALINE ARBO, People Watching and Mario Banushi. A Belgian, a Norway, some Quebec and a Greek. They are the new wave.

Arbo, who takes us The Hoursis the most consolidated. Two years ago he replaced Ivo van hove At the head of the International Theater Amsterdam, but has already won the Olivier of this 2025 for the best direction for its version ofThe years fromAnnie Ernaux. Younger than her, Lisaboa Hubrechts is the “girl prodigy ”from the Belgian scene. Despite 32 years old, it has been premiering in the main theaters and operas in Europe for a decade. In the Greek we will have it with Moeder’s CourageBrussels KVs production.

Mario Banushi It is the new feeling of the Greek scene. Of Albanian origin, he is 27 years old and everything is flowers for him. And takes us Mammi. From Montreal, the company of multidisciplinary acrobats will come People Watching with Play dead. Born in 2020, they already have a dozen projects behind them, with notable stays in America and Europe. And let’s not forget the Italian Marco d’Agostinassociate choreographer of the Milan Piccolò, which is the white transalpine hope, merit that was in possession ofAlessandro Sciarroni. Both will be in Greek.

Which of these names will Martin accompany the years coming? And at a local scale? What will be the generation to take over from The green, The Count of Torrefiel, Serrano Agrupación Señor, Azkona & Toloza? All companies that have exploded in the last decade and for which Greek has been a tool of important expansion.

At first it could be part of it The mulethe troop of Magda Puig Torres and Andreu Martínez Costathat last season left us shocked to the free Thhauma. And Alberto CortésMalaga with a lot of presence in our country, as Rocío Molinawhich Barcelona served as an international springboard. Or Irene Vicente Salas that, after working hard with Alex Rigola And others, he has taken the road alone. Or Losinformallsthe duet integrated by Luis García and Pere Joseph. Or Gisela Ribathe winner of the Dance Award of the Institut del Teatre. Or Marc Salicrúwho has been between the racks for many years as a set designer and designer of lights working for many people, and who now has the second part of their Campaign Theaters.

They all occupy small spaces, except for Salicrú, which has the entire triumphal arch for their proposal, but they are almost at the beginning of their artistic careers. And they need a great festival like Greek not only to support them, but also to see the rest of the world. To begin with, theOrderry De Cortés has already been to the Kunstenfestivaldesarts de Brussels this May, the contest he made in European orbit The Count of Torrefiel.

Martin’s first Greek is, in many ways, a transition festival, between what we have seen and what we will see. But there are names that can remain.