“En esta casa vivió el escritor Enrique Jardiel Poncela desde 1939 hasta su muerte en 1952”. The Enrique Jardiel Poncela Plaque marks a place of creativity. It honors a writer who defied convention.
Let me tell you about Enrique Jardiel Poncela. He was a Spanish writer and playwright. Born in Madrid in 1901, he died too young at only 50 years old. His work is often linked to the theater of the absurd. Jardiel Poncela moved away from traditional humor. He embraced a more intellectual and illogical style.
His style broke with the naturalism common in Spanish theater. Many critics attacked him. They did not understand his ironic humor. This made his work stand out.
Financial problems and public failures followed during the Franco regime. But time has increased his fame. His plays are still performed and adapted into films.
Enrique Jardiel Poncela’s early life shaped his career. He was born at number 29 Calle del Arco de Santa María now Calle de Augusto Figueroa. His father Enrique Jardiel Agustín was a mathematician and journalist. His mother Marcelina Poncela Ontoria was a painter. She was among the first women to study fine arts in Madrid.
Young Enrique grew up surrounded by books and art. He studied at the Institución Libre de Enseñanza and the Lycée Français. His mother nicknamed him “Potito”. His father encouraged his studies. Enrique showed a natural talent for drawing. He often visited the Museo del Prado with his mother. With his father he attended political debates at the Congress of Deputies.
Enrique began writing early. At age ten he wrote his first verse. At eleven he wrote his first novel. He announced it to his family and read it aloud in Quinto. His childhood was filled with imagination.
In 1916, the family moved to Calle Churruca. His neighbor, the poet Manuel Machado encouraged his writing. Another neighbor Serafín Adame collaborated with him on many works.
His mother’s death in 1917 deeply affected him. Despite this, he studied at the Instituto San Isidro. There he met José López Rubio who became a lifelong friend. He prepared for a career. But he failed the civil service exam. Journalism became his first job.
In 1919, Enrique Jardiel Poncela began writing in Madrid’s cafes. He wrote articles for various newspapers. In 1921, he joined La Acción and then La Correspondencia de España. He also published in the magazine Buen Humor. He collaborated with José López Rubio. He met Ramón Gómez de la Serna who influenced him greatly.
From 1923, he devoted himself to literature. He published short novels. He collaborated with Serafín Adame on theater projects. He joined Ramón Gómez de la Serna’s tertulia at the Café Pombo.
In 1926, Jardiel Poncela began living with Josefina Peñalver. He wrote the play Una noche de primavera sin sueño. It premiered in 1927 and was a success. His daughter Evangelina was born in 1928. She later wrote a biography of her father.
In 1929, he published his first novel Amor se escribe sin hache. In 1932, he moved to Hollywood. He worked on Spanish versions of films. He returned to Madrid in 1933.
During the Civil War, he was briefly detained. In 1937, he left Spain for Argentina. He worked in film and radio. In 1938, he returned to Spain and settled in San Sebastián.
After the war, he returned to Madrid. He premiered the operetta Carlo Monte en Monte Carlo. His creative output was prolific. He premiered many plays including Eloísa está debajo de un almendro.
In 1944, a Latin American tour was cut short due to political incidents. His father’s death that year caused him great personal crisis. Despite setbacks, Jardiel Poncela continued to write.
In 1946, he received the National Theater Prize. His health declined. He died of cancer in 1952. His epitaph reads: “If you seek the greatest praise, die.”
His unique style influenced many writers. His legacy lives on.
Standing before this plaque, remember Enrique Jardiel Poncela. His life was full of creativity and resilience. His work continues to bring laughter and reflection.