‘La Bête’

This hilarious and exquisite comedy closes the XVII Fira de Teatre de Manacor. It is also an unusual work, being an American comedy in Moliere-style, set in France in 1654 and written entirely in rhymed verse.

La Bête, by New York playwright David Hirson, is a tribute to the theater, to the work of the actor and to the theater company. It premiered on Broadway in 1991, without much success, and the following year it was staged in the West End of London, where he received recognition from critics and audiences taking the Laurence Olivier Award for best show of the season.

The story is a struggle between Élomire, leading actor and director of the company resident of a French palace and Valere, a comedian discovered by Prince Conti on the street and who he wants to work in the company. A debate between cult theater and popular theater with reflection on talent and art in general.

This production of the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya is directed by Sergi Belbel and starring Jordi Bosch (replacing Anna Lizaran in the role of Valere), Jordi Boixaderas, Abel Folk, Miriam Alamany, Pepo Blasco, Anna Briansó, Queralt Casasayas, Carles Martinez, Gemma Martínez and Manel Veiga.