BLACK THE CLOWN
BLACK EL PAYASO

by Pablo Sorozábal
Libretto by Francisco Serrano Anguita
Libretto adapted by Ignacio García
Directed by Paula Paz
Music Direction by Ricardo Gosalbo

20-24 SEP Cervantes Theatre

This Cervantes Theatre production will be at the Arcola Theatre as part of the Grimeborn Festival 2nd – 6th August 2022 and at the Cervantes Theatre 20th – 24th September.

Esta producción del Cervantes Theatre se representará en el Arcola Theatre como parte del Grimeborn Festival del 2 al 6 de agosto y en el Cervantes Theatre del 20 al 24 de septiembre.

Exiled from a country immersed in civil war, two clowns find themselves in the heart of the Parisian underworld at a time of revolution.

Black, el Payaso / Black, the Clown is one of Pablo Sorozábal‘s most ambitious and wide-ranging work. An ingenious allegory of art and nationalist politics, its sharp and political edge that remains relevant today. The libretto is based on the French novel La princesse aux clowns by Jean-José Frappa.

This Spanish operetta / zarzuela first premiered in Spain in 1942.  This Cervantes Theatre production directed by Paula Paz marks its UK premiere.

Dos payasos en el exilio procedentes de un país inmerso en una guerra civil se hallan en el corazón de los bajos fondos parisinos en tiempos de revolución.

Black, el Payaso es uno de los trabajos más ambiciosos y de más amplio alcance de Pablo Sorozábal. Es una alegoría ingeniosa del arte y de la política nacionalista, de una agudeza política que sigue estando vigente hoy en día. El libreto se inspira en la novela francesa La princesse aux clowns de Jean-José Frappa.

Esta opereta / zarzuela se estrenó en España en 1942 y ahora se estrena en el Reino Unido con esta novedosa producción del Cervantes Theatre dirigida por Paula Paz.

HAPPINESS LA ALEGRÍA

by Marilia Samper
Translated by Steven Capsuto
Directed by Paula Paz

1-26 NOV

The edge of a city. A working-class street with old and cheap houses, where Julia lives with her son, Eli, who has cerebral palsy. Eli is 20 years old and he can’t speak, he can’t walk. He can’t do anything by himself. He spent the days in a wheelchair. He has grown up and Julia’s hernia doesn’t let her carry him in her arms (as she used to do) down the stairs. So, he doesn’t leave the flat. Julia is determined to solve this situation by installing a ramp to push Eli’s wheelchair and take him outside. Such a simple task can be an impossible undertaking when all conditions are unfavorable and, above all, if its completion depends on the goodwill and kindness of others.

Extrarradio de una ciudad. Barrio obrero de viejas viviendas baratas, donde vive Julia con su hijo Eli, que tiene parálisis cerebral. Eli tiene 20 años y no habla, no puede andar, no puede hacer nada, apenas pasar los días en su silla de ruedas. Ahora el chico ha crecido demasiado y la hernia de Julia no le permite cargarlo en brazos, como hacía siempre, para bajar las escaleras del edificio hasta llegar a la calle. Así que ya no sale de casa. Julia está empeñada en resolver esa situación haciendo construir una rampa por la que poder bajar la silla de ruedas de su hijo. Pero una cosa tan sencilla puede resultar una empresa imposible cuando todas las condiciones son desfavorables y, sobre todo, si su consecución depende de la voluntad y de la bondad de los otros.

Dramatised readings

FUENTEOVEJUNA

by Lope de Vega
ONLINE READING

8 DEC

Digital Content

In Conversation

We continue with our digital series of ‘In Conversation’, in which our Artistic Director Paula Paz will interview some of the most prominent artists and professionals from the theatre scene in Spain. 

You’ll be able to watch all the conversations here:

Carolina África

Playwright

Summer in December / Verano en Diciembre

Guillermo Heras

Theatre Director

Direct Your Future

DIRECT YOUR FUTURE

Support programme for young directors

The Cervantes Theatre has launched its first development programme for young directors called Direct Your Future. After a selection process, we are happy to introduce you to the 6 emerging directors that will have the opportunity to develop their craft with this scheme. We are offering them a paid week of rehearsals at the theatre with actors so that they can explore their proposed project and a mentorship scheme to support them along the way.

“We can not afford to lose our youngest generation of artists. The future may seem dark and uncertain for many of them but we are here to offer our support and guidance, giving them voice and space within an international creative context and telling them that they are valued and needed”

Paula Paz, cofounder and Artistic Director of the Cervantes Theatre.

Acting Classes

ACTING CLASSES/CLASES DE INTERPRETACIÓN

As of Tuesday 2nd of February 2021

The classes are in Spanish and are suitable for both native Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers who have a good level of Spanish. Minimum age is 17/No Maximum

Las clases se imparten en español y son aptas tanto para hispano hablantes como para personas para quienes el español no es su primera lengua pero que tienen un buen nivel del mismo. La edad mínima requerida es  de 17  años  o más (nuestro participante anterior de mas edad tiene 65 años).