The Copla
The Royal
Central School of Speech and Drama, September 28th
I’ll be honest, when I used to think of the Spanish Civil War,
transvestite performers don’t usually spring to mind. The Copla, presented at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama’s
Collision Festival, opened my eyes to the struggles that many citizens and
cultural groups went through during the war. Through the play, we learned about
the struggle for homosexuals and drag artists under the reign of The Nationals
as they fought The Republic of previous years.
Alejandro Postigo, who not only wrote but also starred in The Copla as La Gitana, is striking from
the moment the lights go up on his sad form, shivering and singing, praying for
death. After escaping from prison, the linear movement of the play fades in and
out. There are a number of scenes that flashback to first meetings and pivitol
moments for La Gitana that defined her as she made her journey. We are
transported back to when a young man named Imperio falls in love with an American
salesman, and is subsequently ejected from his childhood home by his
Nationalist father. He is saved by the kind-hearted Campanera from The
Republican forces, and is able to embrace his true identity as La Gitana, a
drag artists in a Republican cabaret.
The play follows her time after being freed from prison, and reunion with
The American in the Caberet where she returned. While her story progresses, the
play continues to enlighten our understanding of the struggle of The
Republicans against the oppression of The Nationalists.
In one particularly difficult scene, The Nationalist soldiers are searching
for Campenera, who has become a symbol for The Republican force. The two
soldiers terrorize and physically abuse the women, asking for them to give up
who is Campanera. It is La Gitana who speaks up, turning herself in for the
sake of the true Campanera, it is the first moment of the play where we see La
Gitana truly participating and sacrificing for the cause.
When we are returned to the present, the end of the Spanish Civil War is
played out in brief and we see La Gitana with her American as they plan to move
on with the next stage of their life.
Through the moving,
sometimes sorrowful, sometimes victorious and hopeful Copla melodies pulled
from Spain’s rich folk music traditions of the 1930’s, ‘40’s and ‘50’s, a story
of hope, strength and ultimate resilience comes through. Violeta Garcia gives
an amazing sense of strength and brilliance of character that shines brightly
through her portrayal of the spirited Campanera. Simultaneously, she is
supported by Javier Rasero and Carolina Bandeira as her equally committed
comrades, Jacincto and Dolores. Undeniably, the creator of this production,
Alejandro Postigo, created a brilliantly moving, beautifully sung character in
La Gitana. I was transported by his translation of the traditional Copla songs,
performing in a style not often seen in musical theatre seamlessly. I was truly
moved by his piece and sincerely hope that he marries it with the second act that
he previously presented so that this musical can see life in again and reach
and even wider audience.
There is only one more performance of The
Copla during The Collisions Festival, and it may be sold out, buy I highly
recommend trying to reserve a place on September 30 at 8pm. It is definitely a
piece worth one’s time and attention.
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