Fura dels Baus goes one step further and brings exquisite cuisine to its performances

Madrid (ACN).- Always known for its spectacular and challenging performances, the Catalan theatre group Fura dels Baus is currently presenting a new show in Madrid that mixes acting with exquisite food. According to the director Pep Gatell, the show is a 'hybrid' between their usual mode of interaction with the audience –which included shouting and gesture- and a new approach that for the first time, contains text. The show, Degustación de Titus Andrónicus' (Degustation of Titus Andrónicus) is based on the Shakespeare play 'Titus Andronicus'.

The show includes the participation of a two Michelin star chef, Andoni Luis Aduriz, from the internationally awarded Mugaritz restaurant. The director of the performance, Pep Gatell, said that Fura dels Baus will offer food to their audience from one of the best restaurants in the world instead of throwing them 'lugs and hearts uncooked' –as done in previous performances.

Gatell argued that it was 'easy' to include food in the play. He said that he and the actors were really excited about this option. The director said that the show aims to 'break barrages' in theatre, bringing art and cuisine together. Gatell explained that the decision to choose an important chef such as Andoni Luis Aduriz was taken, because they thought that no one from the audience will have the courage to eat food prepared by Fura dels Baus. One of the main scenes of the play, however, includes a surprising dinner in which the main dish is a Roman.

The chef said that he has always 'admired' the Fura dels Baus and that when he got the offer to participate in their play, he 'couldn't reject it'. 'When you see people really excited by the work they do, you really feel you need to participate', he said. Aduriz added that he loved the 'passion' with which the members of the Fura dels Baus work.

This is the first play by Fura dels Baus which includes text. Until now, the theatre group thought that its performances should only be with gestures. The artistic director of the Teatros del Canal of Madrid, Albert Boadella, said that the play shows both the essential origin of Fura dels Baus as well as its evolution. Boadella argued that the Shakespeare play is explored with 'originality' in a way 'never seen before'.