Teresina S.A.

Idea

Teresina, S.A. is a sitcom consisting of thirteen chapters, each lasting twenty-five minutes, which was recorded for TV3 in 1991. The show is set in a residential building where some of the neighbors play the lead roles. The story unfolds over the course of a whole year.

Teresina, which is a diminutive form of the name Teresa, is used by La Cubana to represent a group of characters, both men and women, who share a common approach to life. This approach has become somewhat of an inner philosophy and a way of life. We could say that being a “Teresina” means having a unique concept of life and a particular lifestyle.

Teresina S.A. portrays situations that are quickly recognizable to everyone, as they are very familiar and are caused by a diverse group of Teresinas, regardless of their gender, age, marital status, or social background. Teresina S.A. can be seen as a sincere tribute to all the mothers, aunts, uncles, neighbors, friends, shop assistants, boys, and girls who embody the spirit of being a “Teresina.”

The main characters of the series are three unmarried sisters from Gràcia, a neighborhood in Barcelona. Their parents made a promise that if “providence” were to bless them with children, they would name a girl Teresa after the mother, and if it were a boy, Tomàs after the father. However, “providence” blessed them with three girls, all named Teresa (Teresina, Maria Teresa, and Tere), and later a boy was born and named Thomàs.

The parents worked as tailors from home, and the whole family, including some neighbors, worked together to provide additional services. However, with the rise of ready-to-wear clothing, tailor-made clothing declined in popularity. After their parents passed away, the girls decided to change the direction of the family business. Instead of sewing, they would engage in various types of trade, such as making teddy bears, wrapping envelopes, attaching buttons, creating paper flowers, and more. Regardless of the task, they maintained the family tradition of working together at home and providing extra work to their neighbors. “Teresina, S.A.” is the name of their company, which operates from their home with an undisclosed capital. Tomàs, the youngest brother (who is also unmarried), is the only one who works outside the home, as he is responsible for collecting payments from clients.

All the neighbors in the building block have, at some point, worked with the Teresinas in their home. These include Pepe and Rafa, a homosexual couple living on the fourth floor, Eugenio the hairdresser, Angelina, who appears to be happily married to a guard, Rosita, an older unmarried woman who enjoys playing with men, Paca, a lively and energetic widow from Valencia, and Montserrat, a lifelong friend of the Teresinas who got married later in life, among others.

Each chapter of the series corresponds to a month of the year, starting and ending in August. The title of each chapter is based on the main event or order that the Teresinas undertake during that particular month.

 

This is the introductory chapter. We are in August, on the last day of the Gràcia Neighborhood festivities, and all the neighbors are getting ready for the theater show that concludes the celebrations. Les Teresines’ flat has been chosen for the rehearsal. Amidst the mess and chaos, the audience will meet all the characters of the series

It’s the beginning of autumn, and inside Les Teresines’ flat, a group of neighbors is working frenetically to complete an order as quickly as possible. The order they’re working on is related to the All Saints’ Festivities, and they discuss it while they work. Meanwhile, there’s a shared concern about a gas smell coming from the stairway, which creates a sense of panic about a potential gas explosion.

We are settled in the middle of November. Les Teresines are working on a very special order: they are creating an object that is commonly associated with Fool’s Day (in Spain on 28th of December). Simultaneously, a neighbor’s assembly is taking place in Les Teresines’ apartment to elect the new president of the Homeowners Association, which triggers various reactions.

We are in December, and as always during these special dates, Les Teresines receive a multitude of orders. The orders continue to pile up, but they must keep working to fulfill them all. Naturally, the main topic of discussion revolves around Christmas time. Simultaneously, there is a new neighbor in the building, and all the women are curious to know more about him. Being very welcoming, Les Teresines extend their hospitality and invite him in.

It is January, and there is a flurry of sewing happening in Les Teresines’ apartment as they are busy creating Carnival fancy dresses for the big shopping centers. Les Teresines have a deep love for Carnival and have decided to make some fancy dresses for the neighborhood as well. Meanwhile, an important event is on the horizon: a wedding. Angelina’s daughter is getting married.

It is February, and the weather is bitterly cold. Just a few days before Easter, Les Teresines receive a truly special order: they are tasked with embroidering a shroud for the statue of the Virgin Mary belonging to an Easter Fraternity comprised of Andalusians living in Catalonia who yearn for their traditions. To ensure a perfect fit, the Virgin Mary herself is brought into the apartment, sparking amusing tales centered around the caretaker, who is responsible for safeguarding the statue.

It is March. Les Teresines are making the palms for Palm Sunday. Pepe and Rafa, the homosexual couple living on the fourth floor, ask Les Teresines for a very special favor. Les Teresines love helping others, but in this particular instance, they are unsure about what to do. However, they ultimately agree to fulfill their request.

It is still March, and there are only a few days left until Saint Joseph’s Festivities. In the apartment block where they live, a strong smell of gunpowder fills the air. They are preparing an order of Chinese pyrotechnic rockets. Upstairs, Paca, the Valencian neighbor, holds the position of president of the House of “Falleros de Gracia.” In her unique way, she is getting ready for the “plantá” (the installation) of the “falla” (Valencian cardboard-made structures to be burned as bonfires) in the middle of Plaça del Sol.

The night before Saint George’s Day, Les Teresines are busy packaging red roses in plastic boxes. These roses will be distributed to customers at a supermarket the following morning. Meanwhile, Maria Teresa, one of Les Teresines’ sisters, reads an advertisement in the newspaper about a new computer system that can determine your ideal companion. Curiosity piqued, a gentleman arrives to meet his ideal lady. In the end, it is Rosita who is the fortunate woman to find her perfect match.

It is May, and Les Teresines are in a rush to hand-paint some religious pictures that need to be completed soon. Unfortunately, Tere, the youngest sister, has come down with the flu, and they need to call the doctor. Meanwhile, Montserrat and her husband, who are neighbors in the same building, have gone on vacation to Mallorca. By mistake, a letter intended for Montserrat has been delivered to Les Teresina’s mailbox. The letter contains sensitive information and reveals many confidential details about Montserrat and her husband.

As is the tradition every year in June, Les Teresines receive an order to create red scarves for the “Sanfermines” in Pamplona. Coincidentally, Teresina, the eldest sister, is also celebrating her Saint’s Day, Santa Teresa of Portugal. All the neighbors extend their congratulations to her. However, in the apartment next door, a brothel has recently opened for business.

It is July, and the heat has arrived. Les Teresines are adding the final touches to an order of Spanish souvenir dolls, including dancers and bullfighters, for a local souvenir shop. Upon noticing that the neighbor’s shoe shop is getting a fresh coat of paint, they decide to paint their own apartment as well. Living amidst the painters, the ongoing order of the “dancing dolls,” and the renovations, the situation reaches a tipping point where the combination of these elements creates a chaotic atmosphere, and it seems like an uproar is about to unfold.

The cycle comes full circle, and August has arrived once again. A whole year has passed, and the major festivities are approaching. The neighbors decide to adorn the streets, and Les Teresines’ place is chosen as the workshop where they will assemble the decorations. For the opening dance of the main celebration, the committee has hired a renowned artist, Núria Feliu. However, due to unforeseen problems, they are forced to improvise a dressing room.

BROADCAST: From March 31st 1992

SCRIPT: La Cubana with the collaboration of Lluís Arcarazo and David Castillo

CAST:
Carme Montornés
Mercè Comes
Mont Plans
Anna Barrachina
Sílvia Aleacar
Miquel Crespi
José Corbacho
Jaume Baucis
Santi Millán
Xavi Tena
Jordi Milán

And also:
Maria José Pérez
Filomena Martorell
Ester Soto
Cristina López
Teresa Calafell

Direction: Jordi Milán
Production: Rita Managuerra and Eugeni Margalló
Edition: Enric Banqué
Wardrobe: Teresa Icart
Characterization: Joan Alonso / César Olivares
Hairdresser: Enric Zaragoza
Stage Design: Castells Planas

 

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