La colla d'en Pep Mata; o, "Els martirs de l'Inquisició" : Sainet

In a modest dining room of a Catalan village, a colorful cast gathers as evening settles on a September night. The space is cramped with a round walnut table, a cracked lamp, and a faded theatre programme on the wall, while locals of all ages—Constança, En Pep Mata, the eager youngsters, and the gossiping women—exchange teasing remarks and hurried plans. Their chatter quickly turns to the upcoming staging of a bawdy piece called “Els martirs de l'Inquisició,” setting the tone for a lively, slightly reckless comedy.

The play‑within‑a‑play promises exaggerated heroics and mock‑heroic martyrdom, prompting the villagers to debate propriety, romance, and the allure of the theatre. Through rapid dialogue and sharp wit, the characters reveal their aspirations, jealousies and the clash between tradition and the desire for amusement. Listeners will be drawn into the bustling atmosphere of a small community where humor and social observation intertwine.