Spanish Theater: Poetic Drama, Independent Groups, and Protest
The Poetic Drama
Alejandro Casona: We consider two aspects of his theater: the fantastic and the educational. In La Sirena Varada, Trees Die Standing, and La dama del alba, he demonstrates his skill in creating a surreal and magical atmosphere through poetic language. In works like Nuestra Natacha, Casona attempts to communicate certain ideas, to teach.
Antonio Gala has excelled in all genres: poetry, novel, television screenplay, journalism, and theater. He entered the world of drama with The Green Fields of Eden. Frustration and loneliness are recurrent themes throughout his work.
The Independent Theater
Following the death of Franco, both commercial and independent theaters emerged:
- Amateur Theater: Performed by enthusiasts for a minority audience.
- Chamber Theater: Radically reduces the performance expression, featuring minimal decoration and polished writing. It avoids easy effects and stellar displays.
- University Theater: A non-commercial and innovative theater that attempts to convey a message of social criticism.
- Independent Experimental Theater: Develops the representation of marginalized works and creates a school of actors based on the experience of emotions.
Independent Theater Groups
- Els Joglars: Albert Boadella’s presentations are based on parody, ridiculing character types and situations.
- Los Goliardos: Founded with the intention of presenting the best contemporary theater.
- La Cuadra: Progresses to popular theater aimed at youth and the lower classes.
- Comediants: Requires public participation, specializing in street theater.
- La Fura dels Baus: Plays with improvisation and incorporates the role of the spectator.
Theater of Complaint and Protest
This theater realistically portrays social injustice and the exploitation of man. Representative authors include:
Jose Maria Mendez Rodriguez: Complaint and social criticism are represented in The Innocents of Moncloa and Cartagena Chalk Circle.
Carlos Muniz: He began his journey in realistic drama and then drifted into deep neo-expressionism.
Jose Martin Recuerda: Locates his drama in a tragic and violent Andalusia. Protest marks his work, as seen in The Savage in Puente San Gil and Las Arrecogías of the Pious St. Mary of Egypt.
Unrealistic Theater
Characters are attributed with symbolic value. The action and language are also symbolic. The viewer must find the ultimate meaning. There are two streams:
- The Airtight Theater: Represented by José Ruibal, characterized by double meanings and animal symbolism, and Manuel Martinez Mediero, who evolves from Jardielesco to allegorical drama.
- The Experimental Theater: Seeks to exploit the resources available to the actor. Fernando Arrabal is the creator of the panic stage, characterized by the search for new formal elements, as seen in Picnic, The Great Ceremonial, and War of a Thousand Years.
Theater Called into Question
In the seventies, works were written that questioned the identity of the theatrical.
- Francisco Nieva: Noted for Hair Storm, The Hot Lead Carriage, and The Amazing Fandango, works characterized by the disruption of theatrical conventions.
- Luis Riaza: Questions the validity and authenticity of drama in new ways. He is the author of works such as The Cage and The Night of the Pigs.