David Desola: From Stage to Screen

Who Is David Desola?

David Desola was born in Barcelona in 1971. He wears many hats – writer, dramatist, and film screenwriter. His career kicked off in the theater in 2000, and since then he has moved between stage and screen, picking up national and international awards along the way. One of his most talked‑about works is the original script for the film El Hoyo, which has collected prizes everywhere it’s shown.

The Play Almacenados (Originally Estamos, estamos)

Origins and Awards

Written in 2002 under the title Estamos, estamos, the play earned the Hermanos Machado Award in 2003. It premiered with actors José Sacristán and Carlos Santos Rubio and toured several Spanish cities. In Latin America, especially Mexico, the piece enjoyed a long run – five seasons on the poster. Desola later adapted it for cinema himself, and the film version won the Ariel Award for Best Screenplay in 2017.

Catalan Version: Al magazin

Preview and Production Team

On May 31 the preview of the Catalan adaptation, titled Al magazin, took place in the Sala Multifuncional des Mercadal. The production was directed by Lalo García. Jordi Odrí not only translated the play into Catalan but also performed one of the lead roles, alongside Joan Taltavull. The creative team included:

• Santi Capó – scenic space
• Pere Pelegrí – sound space
• Raimon Lorda – lighting design

Cast and Characters

Jordi Odrí creates a character that swings between rejection, tenderness, and compassion. His comic timing and well‑placed pauses make the role hit hard emotionally. Joan Taltavull plays the younger counterpart; he offers a generational contrast without breaking the story’s flow. Though his part is less multifaceted, he provides the steady lens through which we notice the subtle shifts in Odrí’s character.

Direction and Design

Lalo García opts for a naturalistic direction. He avoids unnecessary stretching of the comedy, keeping the pace tight and true to the text. The set is deliberately bare – a half‑dimmed work light casts a gray glow over an almost empty warehouse, underscoring the absurdity of the characters’ situation. Even when “nothing happens,” the stage buzzes with the quiet tragedy of modern life shaped by an unstoppable production system.

Themes and Style

The play dances between the theater of the absurd and a Beckett‑like vibe reminiscent of Waiting for Godot. Comedy runs through every scene, but so does an existential tragedy about small, insignificant people trapped by a system they dare not challenge. The empty warehouse becomes a metaphor for the void many feel in today’s world, while the actors’ performances invite the audience to laugh, reflect, and feel a twinge of compassion.

Why It Matters for Teens

For a teenage audience, Al magazin offers:

• Relatable humor that doesn’t shy away from deeper questions.
• A clear look at how societal pressures can shape personal identity.
• Strong performances that show how voice, timing, and body language tell a story.
• A chance to see how a single work can travel from stage to film, crossing languages and cultures.

Watching the play can spark conversations about purpose, routine, and the small rebellions we can make even when the world feels stuck.

Conclusion

David Desola’s work continues to bridge theater and cinema, offering audiences stories that are both entertaining and thought‑provoking. The Catalan version Al magazin, brought to life by Jordi Odrí, Joan Taltavull, and director Lalo García, captures the absurd yet poignant essence of the original while making it accessible to a new generation. If you get the chance, catch the official premiere on August 13 at the Teatre des Born in Ciutadella – it’s a show that sticks with you long after the lights go down.

Source: Menorca Info

Images Credit: www.menorca.info