In these Pastorets, children don’t have to sit quietly in their seats. They can talk, take part, and become part of the story. Abraxas, the amateur theatre group of the Foment Martinenc, is once again staging its adaptation of the traditional Catalan play. This version, considered one of the most participatory in Barcelona, celebrates its 45th edition this year, with performances on December 20, 21, 27 and 28, and January 3 and 4, all at 6 p.m. at the Foment Martinenc venue.
The play tells the adventures of Lluquet and Rovelló, two shepherds who get lost in a forest while making their way to the Nativity in Bethlehem. Along the journey, they encounter various obstacles, including demons determined to make things difficult for them. With the help of a warrior angel and thanks to the protagonists’ cleverness, the story blends humor, action-filled moments, and constant interaction with the audience.
Based on the original text by Josep Maria Folch i Torres, Abraxas’s production has been characterized from the very beginning by a clearly participatory approach, designed especially for young audiences. Unlike other versions, this adaptation aims for children to experience theatre from the inside. “It’s a version with a lot of interaction with boys and girls: we go down into the audience, speak to them directly, and make them part of the story,” explains Pablo García, a representative of the group. “It’s not a play where children just sit and watch while parents have to shush them. If a child wants to say something, we listen and follow their lead,” he adds. According to García, this is one of the features that has made the production distinctive over the years. “Traditionally, this is what has set us apart from other Pastorets,” he notes.
This formula has been very well received by audiences in the neighborhood and has encouraged generational continuity. “There are families who have been coming to see us for forty years, passing it on from parents to children, and even from grandparents to grandchildren. Most people come back every year, and at the same time there’s always new audiences who end up returning,” he explains.
Preparing the play takes approximately two months, with the first rehearsals starting in mid-October. Although the essence of the production remains the same, each edition includes small adjustments. This year, the changes have focused mainly on technical aspects. “This year we’ve been able to improve the lighting in particular thanks to new resources,” García explains. In addition, the group continues to renew itself by welcoming new members in order to keep the project alive.
Beyond the performance itself, Abraxas’s Pastorets also represent a commitment to community-based, local culture. The involvement of local residents in the project reinforces the role of the Foment Martinenc as a space for cultural creation in the neighborhood and helps keep alive a tradition that has been performed in Catalan theatres for more than a century.
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