At 72 years old and with a terminal cancer diagnosed four years ago, Manel Dueso brings the performance based on his poetic bestiary, 'Som cavalls d’escuma en camps de menta', to the La Planeta stage. Accompanied by actors Francesc Orella and Montse Germán, and pianist Bàrbara Granados, the Sabadell-born creator proposes a "song to life" to connect with the audience. Dueso describes his offering not as a recital, but as "poetry from one-on-one", where emotions take center stage.
The show aims to be a "shared celebration", marked by irony and sarcasm, even when discussing death. Dueso invites the audience to experience a moment of shared "madness", understanding "real people" as those who practice mutual kindness. The performance includes fragments from previous poetry collections and theatrical pieces created jointly with his collaborators. The show stems from his friends' desire to celebrate life in light of Dueso's delicate situation, about which he expresses being "very happy" despite the approaching end.
The poems in 'Som cavalls d’escuma en camps de menta' are characterized by their surrealist nature and the presence of animals, an imaginary world Dueso has cultivated since his youth. This theme is reflected in the title, which evokes a "poetic bestiary" with fantastical imagery. Dueso also recalls his early days in protest poetry during the Franco era, including recitals in neighborhoods and a ban on Ràdio Sabadell.
With a degree in acting from the Institut del Teatre de Barcelona, Dueso has built an extensive theatrical career as an actor and director, in addition to participating in film and documentaries. He has written over twenty plays premiered in renowned venues such as Sala Beckett, which he co-founded, the Grec Festival, or La Villarroel. Despite palliative treatment, he remains active, writing poetry and recently premiering the play 'Jambo Bwana' at the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, leaving a legacy of pending projects.
Dueso emphasizes the active role of the spectator in this more personal format, seeking a "perception" of poetry beyond intellectual understanding. He advocates for reading aloud to enhance imagination and believes that "things that are not understood are the best". He reminds us that "one day we won't be here" and advises "making the most of it" while we still are.
The creator declares himself an admirer of the Dada movement, Tristan Tzara, and the Cabaret Voltaire, as well as Samuel Beckett. Initially, he interpreted Beckett's works with great seriousness, but his perspective shifted in the 1980s upon discovering the author's humorous element. Dueso illustrates this point with an anecdote about 'Waiting for Godot', where Beckett humorously responded to the interpretation that Godot was God.
The performance aims to convey this laughter and emotion, acknowledging that human beings "are made of everything that has happened to us". Dueso calls for "freedom" and for us to be "brave" despite fear, in a context where "we are forced to cover ourselves".
