THEATER IN MADRID

Josefina Molina had been summoned by the National Drama Center to direct Catalan playwright José María Benet I Jornet’s play ”Motin de brujas" at the María Guerrero Theater. The story takes place in an undefined workplace, the night of the full moon, and tells of six cleaning ladies planning a rebellion at work, against the will of another employee, the night watchman, who defends the owner’s interests. Power, harassment, affection, alliances and even esoteric questions are ever-present in a day’s work in the lives of these sullen and oppressed people. Desires and frustrations are unveiled as the characters switch roles and play out how power is yielded in different situations. The cast included María Asquerino, Enrique Carballeira, Carmen Maura, Marisa Paredes, Berta Riaza and Julieta Serrano. Josefina Molina reminded the inspector that Politti had acted in the television version of  "Rosaura a las diez" and, even more importantly, that he had worked professionally on "Cuentos eróticos" (both directed by Molina). Despite the complications in contracting a foreign actor, as put forth by the National Drama Center, the director was convincing and able to add Luis Politti to her cast as the night watchman.

 

Excerpt from “Luis Politti: cadencias y otros cielos,” Fabián Stolovitsky,
Ediciones Corregidor, Buenos Aires, 1995

 

DEBUT AND FAREWELL
"Motín de brujas" was the only theatrical experience Politti had in Spain, though he had previously started rehearsing for a play he later had to quit. His work at the María Guerrero Theater came to an abrupt end when he was hospitalized in June of 1980. He had to be replaced by Joaquín Molina after having performed in functions for two months. Before his sudden death, Politti's theatrical future in Spain had looked promising. The actress and director Nuria Espert had invited him to work on a new play she was directing.

Gabriel Lerman