Bye bye, horts dels cirerers is the theatrical proposal that Mercè Managuerra presents at the Dau al Sec theater in Barcelona. The director synthesizes Anton Chekhov's famous text into five characters, in this story that questions man's relationship with nature.
The Poble Sec room this time bets on a classic of Russian and universal theater, with a contemporary look. Managuerra, the director of Dau al Sec, signs the adaptation, which is faithful to the text, in translation by Joan Oliver, although adapted to only five characters.
Esther Bové, Damià Plensa, Silvia Forns, Àlex Pereira and Laura Muñoz bring to life this story about the cutting down of the orchard, "which works as a metaphor for man's bad relationship with nature", explains the director.
"I did not look for a play, but I have adapted a text that my soul had already chosen -continues Managuerra-. It is a play that has challenged me for many years. Seven years ago, I did a workshop at the Institut del Teatre, because I wanted to know how this work spoke to young people".
The version presented in the Poble Sec room is based on the translation by Joan Oliver. "I have tried to make the work surprising, in a continuous flow that goes forward, not so that it is a contemporary adaptation, but so that the soul of the characters is current," adds the director.
"I think that in 1903 Chekhov felt that death was near and in the work he wants to give some messages to future generations, which challenge today's viewers, with the current climate crisis."
Regarding the modification of the title, although the text is faithful to the original, Managuerra declares: "The nod in the title is because we will see the felling of the orchard, the disaster of the world of nature, which warns of a collapse of humanity. It was a metaphor and a pathetic reality has occurred: the divorce between man and nature".
But he insists that it is not a drama, but rather has elements of comedy: "Chekhov's characters in general walk a very fine line, and they can make people laugh as well as cry."
The new version of Chekhov's work signed by Managuerra, Bye bye, hort dels cirerers, will be performed until March 5 at the Dau al Sec room.
Catalan version, here
