The fascinating life of the transformist Egmont de Bries, the star of female impersonation in the Spanish scene of the 20s of the last century, and where heteronormativity was sanctioned by law as the only valid social model, gives rise to reflect on the past, present and future of gender identity and condition. He died sadly, fané and detached, in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. Famous in his time, De Bries died in the most pitiful vulgarity, attended by charitable friends at the last minute. The book is illustrated with 80 images of great documentary value, in many cases of surprising beauty.
The protagonist of Usó's work, Asensio Marsal, was born in Cartagena and found his way on the scene following the tradition of those who, dressed as women, imitated the most outstanding singers and actresses of their time.
Revered by the public, Egmont de Bries, as this is the name by which he was known, became immensely popular and controversial in Spain in the first third of the twentieth century, where sexual dissidence, and the ambiguity represented on stage, caused applause and censorship alike.
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Photo via laverdad.es.
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