Monica Hoth, founder of The San Miguel Puppet Festival, continues to delight the young and young at heart with the final presentations that wrap up this year's festival.

Hoth, an active proponent of culture for the people, gave a special performance of her ecological play "The Trunk of Piratlilla" at the Earth Day clean-up at Parque Landeta last weekend and took several of the puppet shows to outlying rural communities. 

The most timely performance of the festival was clearly the presentation of Hoth's award-winning play "Martina and the Birdmen," a sensitive and poignant account of a little girl's journey to understand the absence of her father-an illegal worker in the US.

San Miguel 2006 Puppet Festival Program


Friday, May 5, 1pm
Lourdes Aguilera presents "The Useful Life of Pillo Moth"
Bellas Artes, Hernández Macías 75, 35 pesos

Pillo is a moth that lives happily eating books in a library. One day, he learns to read and begins asking himself why moths exist. From the time he begins to read he undertakes an internal and external journey that profoundly transforms him. Winner of the 2005 best children's theater piece from the Association of Theater Critics and Reporters.

Saturday, May 6, 8pm
En Boca de Lobos Producciones presents "Othello"
Teatro Ángela Peralta, cnr Mesones & Hernández Macías, 35 pesos


This version of "Othello" is told from the point of view of Iago and highlights the way he manipulates situations and information for his own perverse means. Shakespeare's characters echo current politics, including the impresarios who support political campaigns, the judges, maximum security prisons and videotaped scandals. Includes live actors, puppets, and multimedia.

Sunday, May 7, 1pm
Ludus Teatro presents "Boddo-Boddo"
Bellas Artes, Hernández Macías 75, 35 pesos


Boddo-Boddo is a strange creature looking for his roots. Various people try to help him find his origins. Winner of the 2004 festival prize for best puppetry handwork.

Sunday, May 7, 5pm
Ala de Tres presents "Old Clementina"
Bellas Artes, Hernández Macías 75, 35 pesos


"Old Clementina" is a forgotten grandmother who decides to relive her memories in a place where her history resides in order to regain the strength to reinvigorate the meaning of her existence. A story made up from fragments of stories and accounts, the play uses objects, puppets and masks, employing a mix of comedy and drama, to help the audience come to terms with old age.