Barcelona, Lily Collins and Alvaro Morte. Photo by Marc-Brenner
Lily Collins (Emily in Paris) and Álvaro Morte (Money Heist) lead the cast of Bess Whol’s gripping play Barcelona, skillfully directed by Lynette Linton. In this production, Collins and Morte portray Irene and Manuel, two characters drawn together in a Barcelona bar as they delve into each other’s secrets over the course of a tantalizing night.
The narrative unfolds in the early 2000s in the vibrant late-night atmosphere of Barcelona. An American tourist named Irene finds herself entangled with the charming Spaniard Manuel in an unexpected twist of fate. What begins as a casual encounter soon evolves into an intricate clash of intentions and desires, as personal narratives and political perspectives intertwine in a captivating dance. Initially, I was intrigued yet unsure of what this production would entail; however, I anticipated an experience that might shimmer with palpable tension. Upon their first entrance, Irene and Manuel stagger into his quaint apartment—a stunningly crafted set by Frankie Bradshaw, perfectly embodying the essence of a typical Barcelona dwelling.
This apartment, adorned in soothing pastel colors with an open-plan design that includes a kitchenette and living area, serves as the backdrop for their flirtatious banter and playful energy, characteristic of two strangers with no expectations. Collins vividly brings to life a stereotypically exuberant American tourist; her portrayal of Irene resonates with a bubbly yet occasionally brash spirit. The comedic element is accentuated as she hilariously mispronounces Manuel’s name as “Manelo” and “Manolo,” with each attempt worsening as her wine intake heightens. These humorous exchanges are seamlessly interspersed with passionate make-out scenes during the first act.
The initial laughter, including that from Manuel, begins to wane. While Collins embodies a spirited character, Morte offers a more nuanced performance; portrayed with quiet intensity, his Manuel grapples with a tumult of emotions as the pair’s dynamic shifts from playful flirtation to a tense atmosphere. The audience senses his internal conflict, caught between attraction and repulsion towards Irene’s exuberance. As the evening progresses, the playful banter gradually morphs into a charged debate, where each regales the other with jests regarding national pride, political beliefs, and cultural understanding—or the lack thereof—through lively yet predictable exchanges. At one point, Irene asserts her identity: “Just because I’m American, doesn’t mean that I’m American with a Capital ‘A’,” evoking laughter that resonates with shared cultural experiences.
As the plot unfolds, secrets begin to unravel, inviting deeper revelations that aim to strip away the layers enveloping these two complex characters. Yet, one pivotal secret concerning Manuel’s precarious situation and his increasingly melancholy demeanor—highlighted by half-packed boxes—fails to evoke the intended emotional depth, perhaps due to a lack of investment in their backstories and circumstances. There are, however, several poignant exchanges in the second act that demonstrate solid acting; notably, Irene cleverly picks up on subtle cues within the apartment, leading her to naively explore the mystery surrounding a missing woman, a twist that caught me off guard.
The narrative, however, unfolds predictably afterward, resembling a paint-by-numbers approach. This feeling of stagnation is not a reflection of the actors’ capabilities but rather the script’s pacing and an overwhelming push for both laughter and empathy. It seemed there were moments that dragged on interminably, while conversely, others lacked the necessary depth for the audience to truly care about the characters’ fates.
For me, the most poignant interactions emerged not from Irene’s gradual recognition of her own unfulfilled life or her realization about her feelings for her fiancé—revealed by the perceptive Manuel—but in quieter moments where we understand who Irene symbolizes for him. The visual representation of his late loved one, their dancing shadow projected onto the wall, becomes a heart-wrenching symbol of past love and loss.
With an exquisite interplay of light and shadow enhancing emotional impacts, these instances solidified their connection in a profound manner. I genuinely wanted to embrace this play in its entirety and appreciated various elements, but ultimately, I was left with a sense of excess crammed into a brief 90-minute span.
Need to know: Barcelona plays at the Duke of York’s Theatre until 11 January 2025
How do the performances of Lily Collins and Álvaro Morte enhance the narrative of *Barcelona*?
Ing tension threatens to unravel the carefree evening. To discuss this riveting production and the dynamics involved, we sat down with the director, Lynette Linton.
**Interview with Lynette Linton, Director of *Barcelona***
**Interviewer:** Lynette, thank you for joining us! The play *Barcelona* explores complex themes through the lens of a seemingly casual encounter. What inspired you to bring this narrative to life?
**Lynette Linton:** Thank you for having me! The inspiration came from the beautifully vibrant backdrop of Barcelona, which serves almost as a character in itself. The encounter between Irene and Manuel reflects not just personal narratives but also broader cultural and political dialogues that are relevant today. I wanted to delve into the layers of human interaction, revealing the intricacies of desire, identity, and misunderstanding that can emerge in a single night.
**Interviewer:** Lily Collins and Álvaro Morte deliver captivating performances. How did you envision their on-stage chemistry?
**Lynette Linton:** Their chemistry is vital to the success of the play. Lily brings this fun, almost naive exuberance that contrasts beautifully with Álvaro’s more introspective and intense portrayal of Manuel. Each character starts in their own world but gradually becomes intertwined, mirroring the complexities of cross-cultural encounters. The goal was to create a dynamic that’s playful yet packed with underlying tension.
**Interviewer:** The set design by Frankie Bradshaw seems to perfectly encapsulate the essence of a Barcelona apartment. How important is the setting to the overall narrative?
**Lynette Linton:** The setting is crucial! Frankie’s design instantly transports the audience to Barcelona’s intimate bar culture and vibrant nightlife. Each pastel hue and piece of furniture reflects the playful yet poignant atmosphere of the story. The apartment symbolizes the façade that the characters put up, which is gradually peeled away as secrets are revealed.
**Interviewer:** As the plot progresses, the light-hearted banter shifts to more serious discussions. Can you speak to the significance of those exchanges in the context of today’s society?
**Lynette Linton:** Absolutely. Those exchanges, while humorous at times, touch on real issues that affect personal and collective identities — from political perspectives to cultural misunderstandings. It’s a reminder that beneath our playful interactions, deeper themes of national pride and cultural experiences are always present. It’s about finding common ground amidst differences, something very pertinent in our world today.
**Interviewer:** With the secrets that unfold between Irene and Manuel, what do you hope the audience takes away from their story?
**Lynette Linton:** I hope the audience walks away with a sense of contemplation about their own encounters and the stories we all carry. It’s a reflection on how easily we can misinterpret intentions and how underlying fears and desires can shape our interactions. The beauty of *Barcelona* lies in its complexity — it’s lighthearted yet serious, playful yet profound.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Lynette! We’re excited to see how *Barcelona* brings these themes to life.
**Lynette Linton:** Thank you! I can’t wait for the audience to experience this journey.
