Gaudi: God’s Architect
★★★☆☆ Fascinating
C Aurora (Venue 6): Mon 19– Sun 25 Aug 2024
Review by Florence Cruickshanks
Gaudi: God’s Architect by AGAP (Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project) recounts the life of Antonio Gaudi, the eccentric Spanish architect now celebrated for his still unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, through the perspective of his strong religious belief.
The production is timely – as the centenary of Gaudi’s death approaches, and work on the Sagrada Familia is finally reputed to be coming to a successful conclusion, the case for his canonisation is proceeding. The production’s three-strong cast and crew cope successfully with the very tight performing space, using projected images to good effect.
Russell Wheeler, Stephen Callaghan and Jacqueline Glencorse in Gaudi: God’s Architect. Pic: AGAP.
Members of the cast play several roles. Stephen Callaghan, who wrote and directed the production, plays Gaudi – driven, idiosyncratic, an intensely devout Catholic and ardent Catalan patriot. All other parts are taken by Jacqueline Glencorse and Russell Wheeler, in a variety of suitably colourful costumes. The acting is strong throughout. The production is supported by Zach O’Neill, Technical Director, and Niamh O’Donnell, Stage Manager.
The play, which starts and ends with Gaudi’s death, takes us through his life – his early family life and childhood health problems, his youthful obsession with nature, his rebellious days as a student, and his success as a designer and architect, attracting wealthy and influential sponsors.
reclusive
Disappointed in love, his later life was strongly influenced by political strife, culminating in the 1909 Catalan uprising against Spanish conscription. The Sagrada Familia, already under construction, was one of the few major public buildings in Barcelona not attacked.
He was increasingly involved in helping the poor, providing support to his workers’ families, and in his late years became reclusive.
The ending, like Gaudi’s, is sudden, and sad. Perhaps the impact of Gaudi’s work on today’s audiences would be enhanced by the use of modern photographic images, displaying his work to more dramatic effect, but all in all, this is an engrossing story.
Running time: 50 minutes (no interval)
C Aurora (Studio), Lauriston Halls, 28 Lauriston Street EH3 9DJ (Venue 6)
Monday 19 – Sunday 25 August 2024
Daily 6.40 pm
Details and tickets at: Book here
Website: www.agap.org.uk/gaudi/
Instagram: @agapglasgow
X: @AGAPGlasgow
ENDS
