Experimental theater raises the bar
September 5, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Theater
Águeda 
(in Spanish, with written English translation)
Sun, Sep 7, 6pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
250 pesos

Águeda opened to a full house at Teatro Santa Ana Theater last Sunday evening. Brian Care, an artist who divides his time between San Miguel and Canada, called it “a powerful work that challenged the actors and the intellect of the audience.” Care’s words were music to the ears of Laumuq, the writer/director of the play.

She has always believed that if challenged the talent and audience in San Miguel would rise to the occasion.

If it was her intent to raise the bar on local theater, her efforts met with great success. The actors, Arleta Jeziorska as Águeda and Christian Baumgartner as her constant Companion, stretched themselves and beautifully delivered everything the roles and co-directors, Laumuq and David Concha, demanded of them. 

Águeda is tormented by the personalities that shaped her perceptions. Her Companion antagonizes and nudges her toward the revelation that in order to find her true self she must first lose herself. Large-scale portraits painted or sculpted by some of our most renowned local artists represent the 12 most influential people in her life. The portraits and original music written and performed by Jimena Gimenéz Cacho, one of Mexico’s most accomplished cellists, interact with Águeda and her Companion throughout the performance.

Earlier in the day, a contingent of 19 national arts and culture journalists previewed the multidisciplinary performance. One editor confided that work of this caliber can be seen in Mexico City but he was not expecting to see it in San Miguel. Laumuq responded, “This city was once known for having one of the best art schools in all of Latin America. We have the talent here to re-establish ourselves as an important cultural center. The artistic community of San Miguel just needs to believe in itself and support each other in working toward that goal.” Águeda, born in and of San Miguel, will be presented in México City and theaters throughout the country over the next year by Ubicomque productions.

Tickets are available at the Biblioteca Publica.


Power of the press

It is said that there is neither bad publicity nor good publicity. It is all just publicity. Apparently the Mexico City police department does not believe that.

On Saturday afternoon a tourist bus had just picked up 19 members of the national press who were on their way to San Miguel for a press conference and preview of the new play Águeda. Local police stopped and boarded the bus. They asked for permits and other credentials. Although all was in order, they continued to detain the bus. A member of the press stepped up and asked whether his credentials might be of help, pointing out that the group included journalists from the most influential national publications. A few cameras appeared and the authorities quickly apologized for the delay. The bus was underway again in a matter of moments.