The House of Sorrows (La casa del dolor)

Translated with support from the Fundación SGAE. Image from the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya production, 2022.

A family plans a sumptuous dinner to celebrate their eldest’s graduation. But when he fails to come home, a disturbing and bewildering search begins. Father, mother and sister descend, each going their separate ways, into a labyrinth of longing and introspection, guided – or hindered? – by a host of apparitions: a clairvoyant, a therapist, a gigolo, a priest, a mysterious visitor, and three fabulous visions from the golden age of Hollywood. Part domestic drama, part national metaphor, part homage to the silver screen from Lynch to Lana Turner, this latest work from the writer of Cuzco, La Florida and A House, Once explores family, the appearance of happiness, and the desires for ourselves that we seek out in others. The only way out is by going in.

When my children were born, my husband and I planted two fig trees, one for Julio and one for Julia.
Julio’s is big and strong.
Gives a lot of fruit.
But Julia’s, on the other hand. Barely grows at all.
Hardly gives any fruit, and when it does, they’re inedible.
I went out into the garden the other day.
And the wind started blowing even stronger.
A miniature hurricane howling towards my garden.
I stood there waiting for it to land.
And when it did.
It tore up Julio’s fig tree.
Ripped it out by the roots.
And hurled it onto the ground.

Gallery and information from the world premiere production at the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, 2022.

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