A Virtual Presence Dedicated to Agate
Best regards to all. A special greeting to the dear Àgata. I regret that I cannot accompany you in person tonight, since I am working outside of Catalonia. However, it is a true honor to be able to be here, even if it is through a screen.
The Jury’s Choice
Distinguished jury of the 50th Margarida Xirgu Award: you could not have made a better decision. I mention this not only because Àgata Roca is the winner of this award for performing a work written and directed by me, which fills me with joy, but because I consider Àgata to be one of the most complete, elegant and intelligent actresses in our current theatre scene.
The Talent of Agata Roca
Àgata belongs to that category of performers whose subtleties in performance allow for multiple readings. Its dedication and versatility make even a simple replica take on an elevated nuance. She is a humble, generous, discreet, ironic, cultured, eloquent and, above all, very kind and tender person.
An Unexpected Beginning
I want to express my gratitude to Marta López-Orós, producer of the Teatro Lliure, who, after reading a couple of fragments of the play, suggested the name Àgata Roca for the role. My initial reaction was to doubt that an actress with such extensive experience would agree to audition. However, Àgata not only accepted, but also arrived with a small bag of clothes specifically designed for the test. She told us that she had envisioned a specific outfit for her character and that, if we didn’t mind, she would like to wear it during the audition. Then she, laughing, confessed to us that she felt quite nervous, which relaxed me, since I was too.
The Unforgettable Audition
He changed and performed the first monologue of the play. She captivated us immediately. From that moment on, everything became clear to us, although we repeated the test a little more, simply to continue with the process. Then, Àgata added another interpretive layer, then another… It was an extraordinary moment, one of those auditions that remain forever etched in memory. At the end, Iban Beltran, my assistant, whispered to me: ‘it’s her, there’s no doubt.’ Many times, I have wondered what would have happened if Marta had not read those first scenes, if she had not given me her suggestion or if she had not summoned her. They are coincidences, things that happen at random, as my daughter would say, that become fundamental elements, in those moments that arise almost anecdotally, but end up being essential. I believe that these types of circumstances are aesthetic signals that allow us to perceive life in a more harmonious way. It is not a predetermined destiny, but rather the magic of chance, certain synchronicities that give meaning to our environment.
Synchronicities and Connections
Àgata and I have shared numerous of these synchronies in life: the neighborhood where we live, our children’s school, devotion to our parents, love for literature, for the radio, our personal concerns, sense of humor, deep reflection, disdain for vanity and the enjoyment of good clothes. Now, something very relevant, we both consider ourselves unconditional fans of the actor Xavi Sáez.
Links with Argentina
If I may, I would like to highlight a connection that also involves Margarida Xirgu: the inevitable link with Argentina. As many know, Xirgu spent a significant time in Argentina, where she decided to stay due to the Franco dictatorship. What perhaps not everyone knows is that I was born in Argentina and arrived in Barcelona when I was very little, also due to another dictatorship, the one that followed Videla’s coup d’état.
Furthermore, when Àgata was informed about the award, it is not surprising that she was in Argentina, where she was performing a play at the Teatro San Martín with the T de Teatre. Àgata has sent me several voice messages from Buenos Aires, describing the places he has enjoyed, the barbecues he has tried, the Buenos Aires taxi drivers he has met, the books he has read, and the cafes in the Corrientes neighborhood. He also reflected on the large number of people currently living on the streets and the recent elections where some voted for Milei. I received a voice message with the news of the award while I was teaching at the Theater Institute, and I heard it right when I went out to Plaza Margarida Xirgu, in front of the Lliure Theater. Isn’t that pretty perfect dramaturgy?
A toast to Agata
Àgata, dear, we will see you soon in the neighborhood. Did you know? They have opened a Havana Café near home, we could meet to enjoy a good dulce de leche alfajor, in honor of Xirgu! Enjoy this wonderful night, you deserve this award and all those to come. Wear that famous ring and also toast Ramon Roca and Alberto Szpunberg. I am sure that from somewhere, they accompany us in this celebration.