Veteran Spanish actress Lola Herrera, 91, returns to the stage this Wednesday starring in Camino a la Meca at Madrid's Teatro Bellas Artes.
Herrera co-stars in the production alongside her daughter, actress Natalia Dicenta, and actor Carlos Olalla, under the direction of Argentine theatre director Claudio Tolcachir.
Production details and artistic freedom
The play explores themes of personal freedom, aging, artistic creation, and the fundamental right to decide how to live. Herrera explained that the work depicts freedom without age limits and avoids framing growing older purely through the lens of loss or resignation.
The story follows a protagonist who continues to defend her desire to create, make decisions, and construct her own identity, even when those around her believe it is time to abandon her aspirations. Originally written by South African playwright Athol Fugard, the drama focuses on an elderly artist struggling to maintain her independence.
Herrera noted that theatre remains her life and stated that as long as she feels well, she intends to keep acting on stage. She added that retirement does not exist in her vocabulary, making her the oldest active stage performer in Spain.
End of life directives and refusal to retire
Addressing her personal future, Herrera revealed that she has formally documented her last wishes regarding the end of her life. She said she does not want to cause trouble for anyone and prefers to pass away when she is no longer well.
Her written directives explicitly state that medical staff should not connect her to life support machines. Furthermore, she requested that no public tributes or viewing ceremonies be held for her inside a theatre after her death, stating that she only wants to visit the theatre while she is alive.
Attitudes toward aging and ageism
Herrera also addressed societal perceptions of growing old, stating that she has never tried to appear younger and has always been open about her real age. She described lying about one's age as a form of self-deception.
While she expressed no embarrassment at being called old, Herrera said she feels bothered living in a society where aging is viewed negatively. She emphasized that individuals can reach 90 while continuing to work, think, choose, dream, and maintain the desire to perform, noting that her own enthusiasm remains fully intact.
Mother and daughter theatrical collaboration
Working alongside her daughter Natalia Dicenta represents a point of great pride for the veteran actress. The production marks another joint appearance for the pair, with Herrera expressing happiness at sharing stage experiences with Dicenta, whom she described as a great actress.
The staging at the historic Teatro Bellas Artes in central Madrid brings together the family collaboration under Tolcachir, who is known internationally for founding the Timbre 4 theatre company in Buenos Aires.
