Heroes of the Fourth Turning - English Theatre in Barcelona to reflect and discuss our views

What do you want to see on stage? At The BCN Studio we believe in bringing theatre that sparks debates and conversations, and Heroes of the Fourth Turning is a great showcase of that.

Barcelona Repertory Theatre wants to “deliver thought-provoking and emotionally resonant theatrical experiences to English-speaking audiences in Barcelona.” Their first production in Barcelona is Heroes of the Fourth Turning, a play written by Will Arbery about four young conservative friends who are reunited on a special occasion. 

Bonnie Evans, the director, was drawn to how current the themes are. This production marks the company’s debut in English-language theatre in Barcelona.

The play —mostly set in real time— takes us through a conversation that moves from citing poets to discussing the election of Donald Trump, but at its core, it’s about young people longing to be heard.

“I just want to have a normal conversation like adults.” says one of the characters. But what exactly does that mean - is it talking about our own souls? Is it talking about God or politics? Or maybe it’s about saying the things that really trouble us as humans. 

As literal as some of the topics may seem, there’s an underneath desire to just connect with people that have become estranged and possible strangers. Does it matter which neighbourhood someone lives in? Or is it more important to ask whether they still believe in loving thy neighbour?

“You're really getting the snapshot of a conversation between friends at this Inauguration in a conservative Catholic college in rural Wyoming. It's a group of people that we don't engage with on a regular basis.”

Establishes the director in an interview with The BCN Studio. And that is part of the charm. You get up from the seat wanting to talk about it, discuss the subjects that were touched and maybe even go into a similar set-up as the play itself. You can sit with three of your friends and wonder why and how we are the way we are. 

“There was such a desire to understand how we got to this point. And I think this play really offers a window into that perspective.”

Says actor Hannah DiBella, who plays Teresa in the play. Heroes of the Fourth Turning was written in 2016, and it may not offer responses but allow us to see a side of the world, a set of questions and people dealing with themselves and the world around them. 

If you’re in Barcelona, come and see Heroes of the Fourth Turning, as part of the season of English theatre that The BCN Studio is holding. In the words of the recent article posted in Catalan News, we’re "a small theater in Barcelona creating space for dialogue and discussion".

FAQs

How long is the play? Each performance runs around two and a half hours. 

Where can I buy tickets? Tickets are available online via The BCN Studio. There’s only a few tickets left!

Are there theatre options for English speakers beyond this play? Definitely. The BCN Studio will have two shows of Fickle Eulogy at the end of the month, improv nights every Wednesday and many more events. Check them here.

Have you seen Heroes of the Fourth Turning or attended an English-language play in Barcelona? Drop a comment below or share your experience in a review.