Don Quixote for adults.
Spanish theater company Bambalina is presenting a puppet version of Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote de La Mancha” in celebration of the novel’s 400th year of publication. The show will be held at Instituto Cervantes de Manila on May 20, 7 p.m.
The production is being brought to Manila in connection with the 400th year of publication of the second volume of Cervantes’ work, widely considered as the greatest novel of all time.
The puppet stage adaptation depicts the madness of the protagonist, his love for Dulcinea and the special relationship he has with Sancho.
His own demons
Through episodes such as the windmill adventure, the audience will see how Quixote goes on mixing reality and fiction until he is finally humiliated by those around him and vanquished by his own demons.
Since its premiere in 1991, Bambalina’s “Quixote” has visited 36 countries and been performed over 350 times.
The Spanish company has brought together a group of professionals with very interesting contributions in the fields of directing (Carles Alfaro), music (Joan Cerveró) and stage play (Jaume Policarpo), with a contemporary aesthetic connecting Cervantes’ classic with today’s audience.
Since its first performance, “Quixote” has become one of the company’s classics, and continues to receive applause from the public and the critics.
The show, which runs for one hour, is part of an Asian tour that will bring this puppet version of Don Quixote also to Beijing, Tokyo, Yakarta, Kuala Lumpur and New Delhi.
This is not the first time Bambalina’s puppet version of Cervantes’ novel is shown in Manila. The company staged it in 2004 through Instituto Cervantes.
Ángeles González, the company’s production person, said that over the period of a decade the “Quixote” show has been modified.
“Theater-goers have always wanted to see works from other countries,” he said. “In Asia, because normally they only get flamenco or dance productions, they find our show very fresh and original.”
He said “the puppets arouse passions, but especially in Bambalina’s way of working, in which neither the puppets nor the handlers play traditional roles.”
“Quixote” by Bambalina is presented by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain, Aecid and Inaem, with the help of Luneta Hotel. Show will be on May 20 at 7 p.m. at Instituto Cervantes, 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
Entrance to the show is free, but due to limited seats, prior reservation is needed. RSVP: cultmni@cervantes.es or 526-1482 x 111.