Julian Romea Yanguas was a renowned theatre actor, writer and poet who embraced all the themes of Romanticism in his verses. Likewise, he was the pillar of a theatrical dynasty that included his nephew Julian Romea Parra and his son Alberto Romea Catalina.
He was born in Santa Catalina Square on February 16, 1813, in the Murcian capital. His father was Mario Romea Bayona, who was in charge of managing the assets of the Marquises of Espinardo. His mother, Ignacia Yanguas y Prat de Riveras, was a Valencian living in Madrid. He was the second of six brothers.
The family travelled to Alcala de Henares (Madrid) in 1816, but his father was exiled for his liberal past and had to flee to Portugal. Julian Romea returned to Murcia in 1823 with his mother and brothers.
In search of his vocation
He studied humanities at the Saint Fulgentius Major Seminary, where he made his first acting appearances as an amateur.
In 1827, Mario Romea returned from Portugal and was reunited with his family. In 1831, they travelled to Madrid, where Julian and his brother Florencio enrolled in the School of Music and Declamatory Art. His tutor was the actor Carlos Latorre. The following year, he was hired by the Juan Grimaldi company as a leading man and appeared at the Teatro del Principe, in which he starred in the translated play of William Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Acting beginnings
In 1836, he married Matilde Diez, and together they became a fashionable artistic couple, coming to star in various works such as "Maria Estuardo" by Schiller, translated by Breton de los Herreros, "La ceniza en la frente" and comedies from the gold century such as "El mejor alcalde", "El rey" and "La estrella de Sevilla", all by Lope de Vega.
Other appearances included "Casa con dos puertas" by Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla; "Mala es de Guardar" by Calderon de la Barca; and "Marta la piadosa" by Tirso de Molina.
In December 1837 they had a son, named Alfredo, but because of Julian's work commitments, they spent the following years estranged.
Along with his sister Florencia and his wife, in 1839, he promoted a monument in Granada to pay tribute to the renowned actor Isidoro Maiquez, who died in that city in 1820.
Projects and achievements
In 1850, he wrote a Declamation Manual along with a large number of plays, among which "Ricardo" stands out. He also wrote poetry and collaborated on the magazine "El Artista", a publication of great importance for Spanish romantic literature.
He was appointed professor and director of the Conservatory by Queen Elizabeth II and was an academician of the Royal Seville Academy of Good Letters of Seville as well as a cross of the Order of Charles III. In 1840, he directed the Teatro del Principe in Madrid, modernizing it with new lighting, a stall and other transformations that received excellent reviews from the public, making it more popular.
In 1846, he published "Poesías de don Julian Romea", while in 1860, he received recognition from the Royal Spanish Academy for his ode, "A la guerra de África".
Unexpected death
At the age of 53, Julian Romea fell ill with severe coronary insufficiency; he died on August 10, 1868. His remains rest next to those of his wife in the sacramental cemetery of Saint Lawrence and Saint Joseph in Madrid.
Julian Romea stood out for his naturalness and particular style in delivering declamations. On stage, he performed like no one else, putting his hands in his pockets, lighting a cigarette or sitting down to recite.
It should be noted that his portrait is kept in the Almagro Theatre Museum (Ciudad Real) and that the Provincial Theatre of Barcelona and, of course, the Romea Theatre in Murcia bear his name.
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