“The President”, in the TNC
Directed by Carme Portaceli, Thomas Bernhard’s attack on the highest echelons of power can be seen from the 5th of November to the 28th of December
The Teatre Nacional de Catalunya presents The President, a Catalan version of the Thomas Bernhard original directed by Carme Portaceli. First staged in 1975, this political farce tells of the visceral terror felt by a president and his wife under increasingly tense political circumstances. Not being one to mince his words, Bernhard attacks the highest echelons of power, revealing the absolute fragility of the perceived abyss separating immunity and vulnerability.
A related debate will be held on Friday the 14th of November featuring three guests of honour, namely Carme Portaceli, the director of the play, Bernat Puigtobella, the translator of the play into Catalan and, last but not least, Miguel Sáenz, who has had the honour of translating practically all of Bernhard’s work into Spanish. Born in Larache in 1932, Sáenz has translated not only Bernhard but also other illustrious authors the likes of Bertold Brecht, Günter Grass and W. G. Sebald, and is the author of Thomas Bernhard: an autobiography, published by Siruela.
Thomas Bernhard was born in The Netherlands in 1931, though he spent most of his life in Austria. Author, journalist and playwright, he is best known for his sharp criticism of Austrian public life, producing such emblematic works as Correction, Woodcutters and Concrete in addition to a five-volume autobiography.
The President can be seen from the 5th of November to the 28th of December in the Sala Tallers of the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya. General tickets are priced at 23 euros and more information is available here. The debate featuring Miguel Saenz et alia is free of charge and will take place on the 14th of November.