Mario Gas brings his literary cabaret 'La lluna és blanca, muy blanca' to Teatre La Fàbrica. The acclaimed director revisits his life and artistic passions in a one-man show, mixing music, poetry and memories.
Barcelona's Teatre La Fàbrica is hosting a rare theatrical event this week as Mario Gas, one of Spain's most respected directors and actors, unveils his new show 'La lluna és blanca, muy blanca.' The production, described by Gas as a 'literary cabaret,' runs until Sunday and offers audiences an intimate journey through his personal and artistic history.
Gas, accompanied on piano by long-time collaborator Pep Pladellorens, delivers a one-man performance that weaves together stories from his life, tributes to his family, and reflections on his creative obsessions. The show, performed in both Catalan and Spanish, features recitations, songs, and theatrical sketches, all within a 90-minute format that emphasizes direct connection with the audience.
The director opens the evening with a clown-inspired homage to Jango Edwards before moving through a diverse selection of poetry and music. Works by Idea Vilariño, Ida Vitali, Wislawa Szymborska, Joan Manuel Serrat, Quico Pi de la Serra, Jaime Gil de Biedma, Jacques Prévert, Boris Vian, and Luis García Montero are all featured. Gas also includes verses from 'Cyrano de Rostand,' performs the bolero 'La barca,' and references Joan Baptista Humet, while honoring his father with a piece from 'La tabernera del puerto.'
Gas emphasizes the informal, close-up nature of the performance, highlighting the sense of proximity and interaction with the audience. He uses the format to address themes ranging from love and life to politics, drawing on his extensive experience as a stage and voice actor. Notably, his connection to Jaime Gil de Biedma is a focal point, recalling a 1990 tribute recital at the Lliure with Núria Espert and Lluís Homar under Fabià Puigserver's direction.
Looking ahead, Gas has several projects planned. In September and October, he will present the monologue 'Mi suicidio' by Henri Roorda at the Beckett, and in January, he will revive 'Los gavilanes' at Madrid's Teatro de la Zarzuela. He also hints at another project, details of which remain under wraps.
Gas praises the work of Teatres del Farró, which includes both La Fàbrica and La Gleva, for their contribution to Barcelona's cultural scene and calls for greater institutional support. Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the Grec festival, where he played a key role in 1976, Gas notes the shift in the festival's energy after it came under municipal management, suggesting that the collective spirit has diminished in favor of more individual approaches.
Addressing the recent controversy over the cancellation of Lluís Pasqual's planned show for the Lliure's 50th anniversary, Gas states that Pasqual is the obvious choice to represent the theater's legacy.
Teatre La Fàbrica, located in Barcelona's plaza Mañé i Flaquer, continues to serve as a platform for innovative and personal performances, with 'La lluna és blanca, muy blanca' standing out as a highlight of the current season. The show not only showcases Gas's versatility but also reflects the ongoing evolution of Barcelona's performing arts landscape.
For context, Mario Gas was born in Montevideo during a tour by his parents, singer and actor Manuel Gas and dancer Ana Cabré Esteve. His career spans decades and includes acclaimed productions such as 'Sweeney Todd,' 'Lulú,' 'Incendios,' 'La reina de bellesa de Leenane,' and 'El tiempo y los Conway.' Teatre La Fàbrica is part of a network of independent venues that have become increasingly important for local artists amid shifting institutional priorities in Barcelona's cultural sector.
