'Jauría', the play about the La Manada case, returns to the stage

'Jauría', the play that won a Max award by recreating the multiple rape by La Manada, returns to the stage five years after its premiere. The case, which shook the conscience of Spanish society, is being performed again at Las Naves del Matadero (Madrid) from November 7 to 24, with new actors whose age is closer to that of the sexual aggressors, given the evidence that the issue is more relevant than ever.

The production, with dramaturgy by Jordi Casanovas and direction by Miguel del Arco, is a documentary piece built with fragments of statements from the accused and complainants, summaries, journalistic information, and transcripts of a judicial process that marked a turning point in Spain's history. The production arrives in Madrid with a cast consisting of Ángela Cervantes, Quim Àvila, Artur Busquets, Francesc Cuéllar, David Menéndez, and Carlos Cuevas. "The 'Jauría' project arose when I discovered that some of the words expressed by those involved in the case had not transcended the press headlines. Words that, when put on stage, explained more about the social and moral context than all those that had previously been highlighted or written," says Del Arco.

The company stirred some controversy when the play premiered, receiving attacks from both the conservative sector and part of the feminist movement, believing it was an attempt to "monetize the drama." Over the years, those criticisms have faded, and the play garners accolades. "It's the first time I'm revisiting my own work," says the director, who this time has placed more emphasis on the moments when the victim, before the outrage, sings, has fun, and consumes alcohol, an attitude attacked by the defense lawyers.

In 2019, during the first production, the dramaturgy was more closely tied to the facts. Now, the play develops with more independence. "We have revisited all the testimonies and recovered issues or texts that we had skipped or left behind. The debate posed by the piece, unfortunately for everyone, is fully relevant," explains the stage director.

"We are changing consciences. We are changing a lot in a short time. Our perspective has changed," argues Miguel del Arco, who claims that society is undergoing the process of "turning into a crime what was once custom." Far from criminalizing views, the director has demanded that the actors portraying the rapists understand the characters they represent, which has been a catharsis for the cast. The cast members have undergone an emotional journey that has moved from tears to nervous laughter.

Miguel del Arco called for caution and care when asked about the accusations against actor and director Juan Codina for allegedly raping one of his students, actress Miranda Yorch. Codina, who participates in the performance of 'Vania x Vania', directed by Del Arco, was dismissed as a teacher at the acting school when the complaint became public on social media. "She says she spent three, four, or five years thinking it was a consensual relationship and now suddenly reaches a different conclusion because the perspective changes, but the perspective changes for everyone," stated the stage director.

"Her account is personal and non-transferable, obviously, and she has every right to make it, but we also have to be forming a common narrative, a narrative that tells us all. So, we need to be careful," asserted Del Arco, who has not been able to contact the actor, who is due to perform in Móstoles this Friday.

The director argued that it is reprehensible for a teacher to have a sexual relationship with a student, as it implies a position of power. "Much more so, in these cases, because we know that we are workers of emotion," he added.

De Arco, who declared his friendship with the accused, is unsure if the company will have to cancel the performance scheduled for Friday and if they will continue with the planned tour. "I cannot set myself up as a judge and say, I completely remove you, I cancel the performance. They are actors, technicians, meaning that if I stop a performance, I am not only removing Juan Codina, but I am also stopping the way many families earn their living," he maintained.