L’amor Venia Amb Taxi, Teatre Romea Review
Written by Laura for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The company La Cubana is celebrating its 45 years of history with an homage to Catalan amateur theatre called L’amor venia amb taxi (Love came on a taxi). They’ve said they’re hesitant to call it a musical just in case musical purists complain, but I’d say they were quite successful!
The show takes its title from a 1959 comedy by Rafael Anglada. Our characters decide to put on an amateur version of L’amor venia amb taxi and shenanigans ensue as they try to go through the process of creating this production. So, in essence, it’s a story within a story.
The public is never invisible in a La Cubana production. The audience plays the role of the friends, family, and neighbours of our characters, joining them as they rehearse. There’s a lot of interaction, and the characters are constantly walking through the corridors of the theatre, making it very immersive and helping the audience feel close to the characters. Even the musicians were dressed up and acting to perfect the illusion.
As the show goes on, we see our characters build the homey sets in a modest local theatre. I think anyone who has ever been in an amateur production felt very connected to the look of it. These more homemade sets are interchanged with more elaborate sets and costumes as they showcase people and shows from that time. The fact that there’s no intermission makes it even more impressive!
There are so many costumes and costume changes that it was hard to keep track of them. The actors worked like a well-oiled machine to make the transitions seamless, surprising, and fun.
Speaking of actors, I thoroughly enjoyed the cast. Longtime La Cubana members were joined by a new set of actors to bring this show to life. Oriol Burés especially caught my eye, as he always does, with his charisma and incredible voice. Some of my favourite moments were by Ariadna Clapés as Maria Rosa, a sweet but not very talented girl who gets the main role in the play.
L’amor venia amb taxi is a love letter to all of those Catalan aficionado societies, the people in them who did theatre out of love, and all the great actors and shows that came out of them. It truly made me want to learn more about Catalan theatre. Choosing the Teatre Romea was also a lovely touch, as it is the theatre where La Cubana did its first show, as well as the cradle of Catalan theatre.
If you want an amazing time at the theatre, enjoy musical comedies, and would like to learn more about Catalan theatre, this is the perfect show for you.
L’amor venia amb taxi will be playing at Teatre Romea until, at least, December 21st.
★★★★★
