Each day is armed with activities as well as small fantasies in which we live and make our existence more bearable. With the axis placed on those illusions, the comedy Laplandwill come on stage with Picadero, from Saturday May 14. The cast formed by Jorge Suárez, Laura Oliva, Héctor Díaz and Paula Ransenberg, is under the direction of Nelson Valente.

Mónica, Germán and their five -year -old son travel to Finland to spend the Christmas holidays with Mónica’s sister, Ana, who is married to a Finn and their four -year -old daughter . The two couples meet to celebrate in the paradise of the northern lights and in the land of Santa Claus, a unique Christmas. But tension and pending accounts appear to be fueling intercultural debate.

“The play was written by Catalans Cristina Clemente and Marc Angelet and it worked great in Spain. Once I read it, I liked it and I felt like I could write it myself, it had something to very universal ”, said the director.

In the adaptation of Ignacio Gómez Bustamante, the conflict of cultures between the family living in Finland and their Latin guests continues to be very intense.

“An ideal foil for comedy”

“In the Catalan version, certain characteristics of the characters we share with them have already been suggested and that is a big difference from the Finns: we speak louder, we are more expressive and outgoing, forming a perfect contrast for comedy, “he said.Vaente.

But, according to the director, the most interesting thing is what is shared in general: “The issue of how much illusion and magic we shape into our reality, is something that is common to everyone. And that makes comedy, in addition to fun, emotional, and thought-provoking. “

The character of Finn is played by Suárez. “Jorge is doing incredible”, forward Valente. “Collaborating with four great artists makes everything easier and smoother. It’s a luxury cast“.

Sa Laplandthe existence or not of Santa Claus, puts the two families, who seem to be different, to debate about whether children should be educated by promoting the existence of magic, as society assumes in some cases, or whether it is better to leave the imagination aside. to prevent children from living a lie.

The work came at a special moment for the traditional hall ever since Picadero is celebrating this month, its tenth year since reopening and, it is part of the festivities with a program dedicated to the celebration.

A hyperactive director

Besides, Lapland This is the fifth work Nelson Valente has featured on the Buenos Aires billboard. “Everything happened unintentionally because the pandemic delayed everything and now, they coincide,” he said.

The other works he managed were Dogs (of which he is also the author), pack (documentary theater based on a real event) and The madman and the shirt (with its own text and an off classic, on stage since 2009), all in Picadero and, Happy endings are for others (an adaptation of Richard III made by Mariano Saba), in Espacio Callejón.

But over the years, Valente was often called up to work in Spain, where he also taught theater. He is now preparing a 50-show tour of Barcelona and several surrounding cities, including another of his works: I just called to tell you I love you.

“I’m excited to be able to direct different materials, be an off -road director and get stuck with stereotypes; to continue off screen and be able to do things on the commercial circuit as well,” said Nelson, who is working on theater for three decades.

In addition, Valente will re -launch the Compañía Teatro Ensamble, created in 1996 south of Greater Buenos Aires to conduct various activities in the area, and is preparing a new theater project for January, in Buenos Aires. And he assures: “Anything but getting bored.”

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