Nadales

Contemporary Christmas comedy about a group of expatriate artists who, in Barcelona, prepare their own version of the pastorets while dragging along their own problems. An outlandish proposal that invites audiences to view the festive season from a different angle.

The production reinvents the tradition of the pastorets from the perspective of a group of expatriates. Iban Vaentrant, a stage director going through a difficult time, directs a Brazilian, a Scot and a German who take part in this particular version of the Christmas classic.

His former collaborators, with whom he has had a strained relationship since they stopped working together, are also going through crises. Josep Perals, a prestigious poet now devoted to talks and lectures, suffers from a form of speech dyslexia he cannot control. Carles Bocaterrosa, the musical director, conducts neighbourhood choirs while trying to contain his vehemence.

The characters visit a music therapy centre of dubious authenticity and pin their hopes on the Nativity scene competition in Plaza Sant Jaume to turn their situation around. The production is presented as an immersive Christmas show at La Villarroel, a theatre venue on Villarroel street.