2-minute read.
Last night, at the Teatro Goya, something unusual—almost extraordinary—took place: the curtain rose with near-ceremonial punctuality, as if respect for the audience’s time were already part of the performance itself. That seemingly small gesture set the tone for what followed: an evening of theatre in its purest form.
The Road to Mecca, by South African playwright Athol Fugard, unfolds with the quiet confidence of a work that never needs to raise its voice to say something meaningful. Under the precise and sensitive direction of Claudio Tolcachir, the stage becomes an intimate space where every silence breathes and every word finds its rightful weight.
But if anything truly sustains and elevates the production, it is the cast. And here, it is impossible not to pause on the immense Lola Herrera: her presence on stage is not only moving, it is a reminder of why she remains one of the great ladies of theatre. At 90, her performance is rich in truth and nuance, marked by a powerful fragility that captivates without artifice. Quite simply, it is a privilege to see her on stage again—an opportunity not to be missed.
Alongside her, Natalia Dicenta brings a warmth and quiet strength that balances and supports with deeply affecting naturalness. And Carlos Olalla completes the trio with a restrained, precise presence that enriches the emotional fabric of the piece.
Without revealing its turns, it is enough to say that the play is, above all, a tribute to deep friendship—to those bonds that emerge between free spirits and find in difference not a barrier, but a meeting place. There is also a quiet assertion of authenticity, of the need to remain true to oneself even when the world invites—or pressures—you otherwise.
Leaving the theatre, one carried the feeling of having witnessed something intimate and precious, almost confidential. One of those performances that does not need grand gestures to endure, because it settles gently into the memory and continues to resonate long after the lights have faded. And above all, the certainty of having witnessed something unrepeatable: the living art of a great actress in full flight.
Images courtesy of Teatro Goya. “The Road to Mecca” runs until May 24, 2026.