Broken Toys touches on the pain of being seen as different and the challenge of how to deal with it. The Cervantes Theatre is an ideal venue for this play as it offers the necessary intimacy for this powerfully visceral work so nicely translated from the Spanish by L. Finch. This English version of the play has a minimal cast of three, although originally there were only two. Here, the versatile Miles Molan covers a myriad of characters with a wide range of ages and types
Creative actor, journalist, producer and playwright, Carolina Román, was born in the north east of Argentina in the province of Formosa. She now lives in Madrid where she founded her company “ADENTRO”. She lives to the motto of “La vida son dos días, y uno llueve” (Life is but two days, and on one, it rains).
Carolina Román: -
“This story is not mine. It’s based on true life events where many lives have been in play. I felt the need to continue to shine a light on the hard-won rights, through all the bloodshed and suffering, so much so, that I felt [ that those who suffered] had become like ‘Broken Toys’.
In this reality that we live in, we mustn’t forget that rights are not eternal and that we have the responsibility of continuing to fight for them. In many more countries that we would like, homosexuals are still punished with incarceration or with the loss of their lives, so. in countries where this does not happen, we must never take a step back. It’s important to respect the LGBTQIA+ name as before, it was illegal to even mention it. We should keep mentioning the name until there is no more need for labels, because it has become accepted as normal by everyone.”
Caroline Román
As we sit in the theatre, we face a wall covered with the names of people who have died or been killed for trying to be who they feel they are. This is a truly devastating image.
Wall of names of those who are no longer with us.
Román set BROKEN TOYS during the repressive period of the fascist Franco Regime in Spain. The central character Mario (movingly played by Hayley Rose) dreams of being María, but in the event, becomes Marion. Living in a small town, he spends a painful childhood taking refuge in the pigeon loft, to avoid confronting the agony of the heavy machismo of his brother, and criticisms of his family. Misunderstood and tormented by insults “Why don’t you stay in Germany where it’s overrun with you lot”, Mario takes a huge step and finds the courage to run away to Barcelona in search of a new life and above all, an identity that feels real.
Guy Woolf as Dorín Delacroix
Fortunate to discover the underground queer community in Barcelona, Marion gradually dares to relate to others and open up to the world, largely thanks to an emotional relationship with Drag star Dorín Delacroix (a superb Guy Woolf). Dorín encourages Mario/Marion to confront her desires. Through him, Marion learns about how others have fared, with attempted conversion therapies, humiliations, pain and even suicide.
Working in a hair salon, Marion realizes that: - “the woman inside of me could flourish here.”
“"...Because if I don't, I'll be a ghost inhabiting the body of a Broken Toy, I'll be that strange creature pushed to vacate... And I don't want to."
This play may not be introducing new ideas to the genre, but it is sensitive and extremely moving with some excellent performances. In particular by Hayley Rose, who is on stage throughout. This is an important work that reminds us of the humanity, or lack of, in this world and how so many have to suffer to deal with it, reminding us of what many endure.
Hayley Rose & Miles Molan
With Dorín Delacroix, Román has created a vibrant and lovable character, full of humour, pathos and warmth. For the first time, Mario/Marion has found a true friend and never looks back, drawing the audience into empathizing with her turmoil and the wonders of the journey of discovering who she is and learning to accept it with love.
Guy Woolf
Dynamic creative director Raymi Ortuste Quiroga has created an interesting version of the play with its cabaret atmosphere at the start and choosing Sound Designer Giovanni Tria, with his particularly interesting sound and music design that held the story together in many ways, adding texture and colour at every turn.
From left Caroline Román. Raymi Ortuste, Hayley Rose, Guy Woolf, Miles Molan, and Angela Gasparetti at the Q & A
Marion’s love interest, the handsome travelling sailor may awakens some jealousy in Dorín, but for Marion it is all a part of her development. Dorín’s fate is heart-breaking, but also acts as a catalyst for Marion to have the courage to return home as the person she needs to be.
“The important thing is not that they see you, but that they recognize you as you want to be seen.”
BROKEN TOYS by Carolina Román runs from 8th June -1st July 2023.
Thursdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm at Cervantes Theatre, London.
(Nearest tube station: Southwark station, 3 minutes' walk) The running time is 90 minutes (no interval).
Photographs © Elena Molina
BROKEN TOYS
Written by Carolina Román/ Translated from the Spanish by L. Finch
Directed by Raymi Ortuse Quiroga / Set and Costume Designer Elliott Squire / LX Designer Luca Panetta / Sound Designer Giovanni Tria / Movement and Intimacy Director Angela Gasparetto /Stage Manger Sebastián Capitán Viveros
CAST
Hayley Rose – Mario/Marion / Guy Woolf - Dorin /Miles Molan -Joaquin, George, Ernesto & Alejandro.
