Blood as a support of life and death, an unknown but primitive territory. The history of humanity is blood, from different sources, however, of almost identical chromatic tones. This universal and paradoxical aspect transforms it into a vehicle of expression. This universal and paradoxical aspect transforms it into a vehicle of expression, confluence, and opposition; in an element that can trigger reflection, criticism, and always has an emotional impact in some way.

 

     This is the territory in which ‘La Sangre’ moves. Teatro Material's staging of the play written by the Catalan Sergi Belbel, whose driving force is the kidnapping of the wife of a disreputable political figure, a specific situation from which different aspects of human comedy (and tragedy) are unraveled.

 

     A kidnapping has the peculiar power to impact the whole of society. A mediatized event in the contemporary world, it provokes empathy, it positions in favor or against, it incites the debate on the ends and the media. In the case of ‘La Sangre’, the author opts for the partial ellipsis of the causes, to focus on the consequences of some of the choices made by its main characters.

 

     It is important to clarify that the play is essentially scattered in the space of the script (there are no firearms or action scenes, if anyone might think so), everything is built on the tension generated by the reasons that give life to the scenes, several of which are full of symbolic violence. However, it balances these moments with others that, without leaving the drama of the general topic, propose an intelligent humor that is gradually darkened by the blood that emanates from the main plot. All these interactions are played by the powerful and attractive performances, as well as by the oppressive sound and scenic design.

 

     ‘La Sangre’ takes the time to patiently explore the social vices projected on human individuals, where the background always seems to be power. Even though its 100-minute running time may strain the patience of some people, it is necessary to present a montage that lets the rain wash away, or at least dissipate, the blood stains left on the ground after a sacrifice.