Contribution to the Production of the Play "Full Gallop" by Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson Translated and Performed for the First Time in Catalan

Project location: SPAIN, Barcelona
Project start date: May 2014 - Project end date: June 2014
Project number: 2014-002
Beneficiary: ELSA PERETTI FOUNDATION

This final report's time range: from April to May 2014


This project consisted in the production and performance of the theater play "Al Galop", written by Mary Louise Wilson and Mark Hampton, translated and performed for the first time in Catalan. The play is a monologue, a brilliant and biting play, focused on the life of Diana Vreeland (1906-1989) known editor of Harpers Bazaar and Vogue (1962-1971), whose influence marked a before and an after in the world of fashion. In 1971, she became Special Advisor in the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York. The play is set in the living room of her apartment in New York before accepting the job at the Metropolitan Museum.
The work has been performed in the Catalan version "Al Galop" ("Full Gallop" in original), translated by Joan Sellent at the Teatre Akadèmia (Barcelona - Spain) performed by Carmen Elias and directed by Guido Torlonia.
For this occasion 600 copies of the play booklet were published in Catalan, with an introduction of the work by the Director and photos and quotes of Ms. Diana Vreeland. All booklets were given to those attending, and were not for sale.
Project development
The play Al Galop was released at Teatre Akadèmia on May 6th, 2014. There were three consecutive releases with guests during the first week of performances.
The theatre capacity has been fully exhausted in each release.
Both the press and the public expressed great interest toward the other performances. The major attractions were the play itself, its central character "Diana Vreeland" and Carme Elias as the central figure. Obviously, also the artistic design of the project was important, with all its members: direction, set design, characterization, costume, lighting design, translation and photographs.
The performance by Carme Elias has gone deeper into the visceral humor of the play, as well as her complicity with the audience. Day by day, the subtlety of the writing become evident, highlighting the growth of the good reception of the show, always evident in the final applause.
All this positive feedback has led "Al Galop" to a second stage of life:
• Rerunning in Teatre Akadèmia from September 18 to October 5
• Tour in Catalonia
• Translation into Spanish of the play.
• Possible release tour in Madrid and Spain (Teatre Akadèmia has the Spanish and Catalan rights until the end of 2015, with the possibility of being extended)