During the 40's the Catalan theatrical life was restrained, for —till 1946— the censorship did not allow any performance in catalan. In spite of this, secret activities, such as H those taking place in the studio of the painter Xavier Portabella, activities which have not been reported till today, were carried out. Xavier Portabella was acquainted with the theatrical circle of the pre-war period; his studio was roomy and many people used to gather there far conversation. The painter's friends could go to these meetings freely and many of them even had the key of his apartment. Since he belonged to that social circle, Portabella was persuaded to write a play, El caragol i la corbata, from which we publish a passage, preceded by an evocation from his friend Terri.
