The story of a newsstand owner that deserves a visit to the Atrium Room

The seemingly most boring lives can hide small and large dramas. The protagonist of this dark tale by Lluïsa Cunillé is a gray man with a gray life. Despite being widely read, he has had little choice. And it's not that he didn't have youthful dreams; quite the contrary, he wanted to travel and see the world. One day, he even thought he'd like to join the circus of his future wife, the daughter of an elephant tamer. But the world that passed him by was that of his father's kiosk next to a convention center, where he had no choice but to work.

The life of a newsstand owner may seem monotonous. And it surely is—let's say it was, because there are few of them left today—but it's also true that from his shop, he can see the daily goings-on of a piece of the world and chat with the customers who buy—buy, we would say now—newspapers or magazines every day. He also has a vast universe of information, culture, and entertainment at his fingertips. And he took advantage of it. He's in the hospital where he's scheduled to be operated on tomorrow. And he takes advantage of the patience of his roommate, a client he recognizes because he was wearing the classic conference badge dangling from his neck, to tell him and us about a good part of his life. He, like his work, like his circuses with animals, is the past of a world in extinction.

Dressed in the classic semi-transparent gown that makes the work of doctors and nurses easier but is somewhat humiliating for the patients; standing constantly in front of a cold stretcher and almost without moving, a brilliant Oriol Genís unravels the drama of an ordinary man. The words flow uninterruptedly with the calm of a river in the delta under a smile somewhere between friendly and malevolent.

Xavier Albertí's direction follows in the footsteps of that fabulous monologue by Josep Maria Miró. The most beautiful body ever found on this site. Oral and gestural restraint; constant lighting with almost imperceptible changes; and utmost care for diction. Genís stands out. He mesmerizes. A highly recommended show. Although the title and advertising image didn't suit him, this play is definitely worth a visit to the Atrium Hall.