Enric Borràs and Margarita Xirgu: Two Catalans on the Spanish Stage

Abstract

Enric Borràs and Margarita Xirgu were two of the best-known actors/actresses in the early twentieth century, not only in their native Catalonia, but in the whole of Spain and in Latin America. Xirgu, in particular, was much appreciated by contemporary Spanish and European dramatists. With their highly contrasting styles and repertoires both in Catalan and in Spanish, Borràs and Xirgu attained huge popularity in Madrid as well as in Barcelona. This response was not universal, however, and certain sections of the Catalan-language press were hostile to them, particularly to Xirgu, for what was perceived as their abandonment of the Catalan stage at a particularly difficult period in its development. Using contemporary newspaper reviews, their biographies and interviews with them, this article considers their reception in Madrid and Barcelona. It also examines their views on questions of identity and on acting. It deals with their contrasting repertoires and looks at their relationship with contemporary Spanish playwrights, particularly that between Xirgu and Garcia Lorca. We glimpse the interface between the theatre worlds of Madrid and Barcelona and conclude that the study of theatre involves much more than the analysis of dramatic texts.