Playwright José Sanchis Sinisterra
is one of the most recognized, awarded-winning authors and
representative of Spanish theatre. Roundly acknowledged researcher
and a lecturer at several Spanish universities, this Valencia
native is well-known by the public for his play "Ay, Carmela" which
left quite an impression in its day; it was even adapted for the
big screen under the direction of Carlos Saura. Since then the
movie version has been the reference point for the play and only
very rarely does the opportunity to see the marvelous and touching
theatre version presents itself.
Among the various projects of the
author, in 2005 he ventured to write "Misiles melódicos: Las
autoridades no advierten de que las armas perjudican seriamente la
salud" (Melodic Missiles: The authorities warn that weapons can
cause serious damage to your health), a condemnation of the arms
trade, which initially was going to be a camera opera but ended
being a musical comedy. The music and lyrics were written by
Gabriel Sopeña, in what was the first incursion by both of them
onto the musical scene. However, what initially promised to be an
interesting show, did not work out in the end.
Gabino Diego, Carmen Maura and
Andrés Pajares starred in Carlos Saura's film version of Ay
Carmela, although the original play was written in 1986 and has
been released under different names, "Elegia de una guerra civil en
dos actos y un epílogo" (Elegy of a civil war in two acts and an
epilogue) or "Carmela y Paulino, variedades a lo fino" (Carmela and
Paulino, a fine variety). It premiered in November 1987 in Zaragoza
where it was directed by José Luís Gómez, who also played Paulino
beside Verónica Forqué as Carmela. Then, in 1990, Carlos Saura
directed the screen adaptation of the play, with Carmen Maura and
Andrés Pajares in the lead roles and other actors like Gabino Diego
and José Sancho. Although the story was basically the same, it was
rewritten and several changes were introduced in the original
work.
Andrés Lima (Animalario) and Andrés
Vicente Gómez ("As Luck Would Have It", "The Consul of Sodom", "The
last Horseman"), who produced the movie version, obtained the
rights to turn it into a musical. The caveat, however, is that they
must maintain the original narrative structure, all of which is
based on flashbacks of Paulino's memories and his past experiences
with Carmela who appears to him as a ghost because she is dead from
the very beginning of the play.
The adaptation of the libretto into
a musical is by José Luis García Sánchez ("Los muertos no se tocan,
nene", "Belle epoque"). The main roles will be played by Inma
Cuesta (Hoy no me puedo levantar) as Carmela and Javi Gutiérrez as
Paulino, both known for their participation in the TV series
"Águila Roja." (Red Eagle). Marta Ribera will also appear in the
musical.
For the author, Sanchís Sinisterra,
the most important element in "Ay, Carmela" is "the dead who don't
want to disappear and are summoned through Carmela's persistent
efforts to stop them from passing on into the second realm of
death, which is oblivion."
In terms of music, apart from
classical pieces from that period, it seems there will also be
original work written by singer-songwriters Victor Manuel, Joaquín
Sabina and Pedro Guerra, with Joan Valent as musical director.
The musical will premiere at the
Reina Victoria Theater of Madrid, with a cast of six. It will be at
the Reina Victoria for a limited engagement, from April
10th through May 26th, 2013. A possible tour
to other provinces is being studied and will depend on the response
of the public in Madrid.
MUSIC & LYRICS: Victor Manuel,
Joaquín Sabina and Pedro Guerra