Merche Mar, the last queen of El Molino, dies

“They should put my name on a door at Camp Nou, but not at the Paral·lel. I prefer to remain stuck in the past and now that is no longer what it was, as Lluís Permanyer explained.” In one of her last television interviews, the popular star Merche Mar spoke of the past with more satisfaction than nostalgia.

That past of splendor is a little further away, since this Tuesday at noon the woman who was deservedly considered the last queen of El Molino passed away at an age she never wanted to reveal.

Despite her education in a convent school, young Merche was destined for the show business world, and her training in piano and ballet marked the beginning of a long and successful career in the world of Barcelona's music hall , which she entered when she was barely 15 years old.

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To do this, she had to convince Mrs. Vicenta, the owner and director of the variety theatre, by playing the accordion while displaying the cunning and wit that always accompanied her. To do this, and in the midst of Franco's regime, her parents had to support the young girl's artistic future.

She was able to avoid censorship with double meanings in her lyrics, veiled jokes and strategic costumes. Personalities such as Picasso, Fellini, Dalí and Woody Allen were direct witnesses of her art. An admirer of figures such as Bella Dorita, Merche Mar filled stages and won the affection of the public, especially in the LGTBI community, who considered her a role model.

El Molino has closed and reopened several times over the years. After its closure in 1997, Merche toured the stage alongside comedian Diomny until, in 2010, the historic venue was revived under the direction of Elvira Vázquez, with Merche as master of ceremonies. However, in 2013, the last closure of the venue put an end to an era.