Humor has always characterized Anabel Alonso. But now she’s changing her register to play Celestina in Eduardo Galán’s adaptation, which comes to the Teatro Romea in Murcia this Sunday. Directed by Antonio C. Guijosa, the film is a more dynamic, more rhythmic but faithful version of the classic. Even though it’s been more than 500 years since its release, the popular actor says he shares many characteristics with the iconic hero.
As someone used to comedy, what did it mean to play Celestina?
It’s very pleasing because he is one of the great characters of our literature. Being a universal and well-known character is a challenge because everyone has a Celestina bias in their mind. When I started studying, I was very surprised, because you realized that it was not what we thought. It’s not that bad, nor is it the cause of all this mess. She is a very lively woman, she loves life very much, she likes to have fun, she has a sense of humor… She is a character with many characteristics that bring her closer to him. She is not the villain or the witch in the story. She is a woman of flesh and blood.
Even though years have passed, he is still a very lively character and the story can be transferred to the present day.
That’s what the classics have. Once you pass the test of time (500 years in this case), you have something that keeps coming and transcends the present. Classics are about man’s great passions, vices or virtues. In this case, there is desire, greed and greed. Even though we think we have improved a lot, we have not improved that much. You see a Greek tragedy from 2000 years ago and we are still a little bit the same, albeit over the phone. In La Celestina, there is a prejudiced image of Calisto and Melibea as if they were Romeo and Juliet, but no. They want to enjoy love. No one ever forbids them from falling in love and experiencing pure love. They want to enjoy love every night. They love meat. He is given a job and he does it, but everyone is responsible for what they do.
Did you find any similarities between Anabel and Celestina during preparation?
There’s always something going on because you gut the character out. He is cheerful, enjoys life and advocates living in the moment. In those years, it was believed that the more pain you suffered in this life, the more pleasure you would have in the next life. He says we should enjoy it, it will last little and we will see what happens. We are equal in this regard. He also takes great pride in the work he does. There is a lot in common and people will feel more identified than they think.
This pleasure depends on your humor.
Life should always be approached with humor. Celestina is a woman with a great sense of humor. This is what allows us to survive the dramas that occur in our lives. It is the best medicine to cure pain.
How was the preparation process?
We gradually memorized the text because you need to know it in order to go on stage. I did a lot of research and tried not to look too much at those before me because you always want to imitate. I enlightened myself, but without wanting to imitate any of them. I made a livelier Celestina that didn’t stop throughout the performance. He’s a great player, better than me. She gives whatever she wants to everyone she meets. I tried to do a few inside a Celestina. It was demanding but fascinating.
“When I decided to dedicate myself to this, I was pleased with the progress. I didn’t think I would fight until now.”
The work has already toured much of Spain. How was the public reception?
Wonderful. We really enjoy the performance and the public reception. The halls are almost full and the audience applauds enthusiastically. They are rediscovering the work La Celestina. We are very happy.
He says the halls are full. There will be great satisfaction with the rise of platforms.
We always talked about the crisis of theatre. With so much entertainment on offer now, the theatrical event that takes place live and you share it with a range of people makes people love experiencing that feeling even more. This event will not be the same as the one held tomorrow. This is something unique and unrepeatable. There is human contact beyond screens. People really want to go to the theatre.
Going back to his career, he appeared on television in the late eighties. Did I dream that you would experience everything you experienced?
Not at all. Once I decided to dedicate myself to this work, I was pleased to move forward. I never thought I’d fight until now. In this job, you work on a project and you don’t know if the next project will be the next day or a year from now. There is uncertainty that comes with not knowing what will happen to your life. It captures us with many experiences. I didn’t think I would work and do everything I did.
How do you work through this uncertainty so it doesn’t result in anxiety or stress?
Complicated. We start with an advantage because that’s the nature of the business. That makes you more of a survivor. You are not dependent on others. If the phone doesn’t ring, I’ll be busy. I am the working tool.
Presenter, actress, contestant of some programs, comedian… Is there a side of Anabel that we still don’t know?
I like to play all the keys possible. The beauty of this profession is that it is not monotonous at all. I’ve been making TV series for nine years, they asked me if I got bored, but I didn’t. In a theater performance, the audience is different every day and you discover things. I’ve always been very brave. If you must sing, sing; If you have to cook, cook. The worst thing that can happen is that the situation doesn’t turn out well. It’s worth the risk. Sometimes you’ll be surprised that you need to be more confident.