She explains that under the former coalition administrations of PSOE, Més and Podemos, it wasn't possible. "They only accepted proposals in Catalan."
In the year before the pandemic, there was a meeting with the board of Palma's Teatre Principal. "A group of actors wanted to perform Hamlet in English. The answer was no. At the Principal, theatre was only in Catalan." Moreover, she was unable to take theatre projects in English and Spanish to schools.
"But now, with the change of administrations, I have requested it. I sent a letter last week to the Council of Mallorca, explaining who I am and what I intend. I haven't yet received a response, but I hope, unlike those who were there before, they will allow me."
Kathleen adds that she had two specific projects - one for children, one for adults. "I hope things have changed. I also hope that they understand that on the island there is a large English-speaking population, and also German, with the right, at least a few times a year, to be able to go to the theatre to see a play in their language. Moreover, it would be very good in summer, given the number of Germans and British who come to the island, if there was theatre in German and English. It could be a promotion. Even in winter - spend a weekend in Mallorca, have fun, visit the Charterhouse (in Valldemossa), have dinner, go for drinks, go to the theatre ... . And why not?"
* The Teatre Principal in Palma is publicly owned. Municipalities across Mallorca have their public theatres. A venue which is not in public ownership is Palma Auditorium, where have been productions in English.
4 comments
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Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyYou wrote a comment in a different article that you understand why Brits don't want to live together as they were disenchanted by their UK lives. That means they should be able to understand Catalan living in a Spanish speaking area. I'm therefore surprised you feel it's a need to promote English speaking productions.
Alcúdia put on historical dramas around the old walls of important events of the town during the summer. All in Catalan. My suggestion to at least put a short introduction in Spanish, English and maybe German fell on deaf ears and so all the visitors to the town who witness the dramas pretty much haven’t a clue about what’s being said. You have to read the programme to find out what it’s about. Begs the question, who are they doing it for?
Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyTerrible idea
Why not, indeed. I think it's a wonderful idea. Yes, it's very nationalistic but we live in enlightened times, do we not? And for the Spanish who may feel left out why not copy a device from opera and run a translation on a digital screen over the top of the stage. Here's hoping it gets the green light and bravo to Kathleen Bendelack for the initiative.