The Silence Between Us Would Sound Different is Sala Novu’s first artistic residency opening October 10 becoming the Argentine’s debut production in Madrid.
Fede Burgos is set to star in The Silence Between Us Would Sound Different, a project selected as Sala Novu’s inaugural artistic residency in central Madrid. The play, written and directed by Burgos himself, is placing its first major bet on a group of promising young creatives who share Burgos’s sharp artistic vision as they dive headfirst into the city’s theatre scene. Snowbound on New Year’s Eve, a group of friends and strangers unearth hidden truths while a tormented playwright attempts to write about a broken friendship. The group is unaware that the night itself is taking over the story. This play is brought to life by an ensemble cast featuring Malena Casado, Nuria Cisquella, Juan Galíndez, and Burgos himself. Like many storytellers, Burgos channels personal experiences straight into his creative work and stagecraft. The script is derived from a real-life period of creative differences and the painful fallout with an ex-best friend. The emotional fallout became the exact motivation Burgos needed to turn personal pain into a stage production. Acting is far from new for the 21-year-old. His journey began early within a theater company in Cuba, continued through his adolescence in Buenos Aires, and now defines his adult life in Madrid. His lifelong involvement on stage is precisely what fueled his dedication to fill all three primary roles for his Madrid debut.
“The way we consume art is becoming more and more passive” he says, pointing to a culture increasingly distracted by noise and immediate gratification. We stopped engaging in stories. We can’t be in silence for more than thirty seconds without being uncomfortable.” Instead of going for a light and comedic relief, Burgos instead sets up a more sensory experience that encourages the audience to listen, reflect and come out of their comfort zone. "This play forces you to be in the moment. I wanted to work with silence," Burgos reflects. "I didn’t want to make a funny play that didn’t capture what I am experiencing at the moment." Yet that quietness does not go unnoticed, it gains its power through a stark juxtaposition with sudden, loud soundscapes and highly stimulating live visuals that push the audience further out of their comfort zone. When the lights come down and the final bow is over Burgos hopes the audience can connect with his work as they reflect on their own losses, whether it's a lover, friendship, or a dream. “I think the general theme that they’re going to talk about is grieving and losing creative projects and how friendships can be just as hard to lose as romantic love,” he says. Creating a space to connect with others is his primary goal, but stepping into Madrid’s established arts scene at 21 comes with its own friction. New territory means navigating an industry that prides itself on age, tradition, and decades of experience.
Bringing that vision to life in Madrid required a trusted artistic circle, someone who has been in his life since childhood and could send the project soaring. That person is none other than Juliana Ianniccillo, Burgos’s lifelong friend and creative partner. Being a student alongside Burgos at the Universidad Nacional de las Artes (UNA) in Buenos Aires, Juliana brings her knowledge from both her time in UNA and La Sorbonne in Paris to help Burgos tackle any production challenges that he encounters. Her involvement reinforces the production’s underlying core: that ambitious art relies on deep artistic trust and shared devotion.
Although he is haunted by the shadow of imposter syndrome, Burgos acknowledges that having the support of Sala Novu’s residency provides a breathing room to turn those doubts into discipline. For Burgos, this play isn’t only about reaching a personal milestone, it’s also a critique of modern day society and his generation. “As a new generation of creators, we have the job to step up to high expectations. My experience is being defined by this feeling of having to believe you can do something - and make everyone else believe you can do it, even when you have doubts.”
Having months dedicated to the script, layout, and text rewrites has allowed him to settle into the director’s chair before stepping back on stage as an actor. That directorial process, however, isn't about rigid control. When asked whether he allows his cast freedom to interpret a script born out of his own life memories, Burgos sees collaboration as the vital spark of the entire production. Balancing that open communication with his own creative vision allows the play to become a living, breathing collective work rather than a static memory.
Ultimately, the Silence Between Us Would Sound Different serves as a looking glass into a chaotic stage of life, prompting audiences to find bits of their own story reflected on stage. Living abroad in Madrid as a 21-year-old full of high emotions, late nights, and constant discovery infuses every scene with raw authenticity. Suspended between childhood and adulthood lies a rare kind of clarity, a fleeting feeling Burgos channels directly into his play to keep it alive forever.
The Silence Between Us Would Sound Different premieres at Sala Novu on October 10, with additional performances on October 17 and 24 at 20:00. Tickets can be reserved directly at salanovu.es. Teaser can be seen here.
Words by @madelynalina
Photos by @clauuvisual