'A Distant Song': a gem at the intimate Dau al Sec

A distant song It's one of those productions where all the elements conspire to create a splendid result. A gem in the small, intimate space of Dau al Sec, proving that no grand gestures are needed to move an audience. It is, indeed, a monologue. A monologue accentuated by the humanistic text of British playwright Simon Stephens, by the brief and delicate jazzy phrases of Mark Eitzel—known as the leader of the band American Music Club—by the demanding direction of Oscar Fabrés, and, of course, by the moving performance of Eduardo Lanoras, by the entirety of Eduardo Lloveras, enveloped in lighting with warm textures (Sergio García).

A distant song It's a very well-written story that, without resorting to exceptional events, speaks to us about human beings, about feelings, and also about the lack thereof. A story told with sincerity and empathy that speaks to contemporary man, about a New York financier (Willem) emotionally absorbed by a dehumanizing job that has turned him into a selfish being who has forgotten his origins. This becomes clear during his trip to Amsterdam when he receives a call informing him of the death of his younger brother, Poly, a pianist. We travel with Willem to his native Amsterdam, and we experience the reunion with his family and a former lover, the funeral, and the return.

Willem seems like a successful man traveling in business classwho drinks every whiskey and cocktail put in front of him and prefers to sleep in a five-star hotel than in his dead brother's room.

The performance functions like a musical score in which silences speak and piano notes are harmoniously woven into the narrative. It will only be at Dau al Sec until February 15th and deserves a longer run in Barcelona and Catalonia for everyone's benefit.