Description
White Hands Do Not Offend
Book Summary
This edition features the complete text of the play by Calderón de la Barca, premiered at the Teatro Pavón in Madrid by the National Classical Theatre Company. The reader will find the version and direction by Eduardo Vasco, which offers a contemporary take on one of the most representative cloak-and-sword dramas of the Spanish Golden Age. An essential volume for understanding the evolution of the staging of classical theatre, combining philological rigor with current stage practice.
What is it about?
The play narrates the adventures of Don César, a Milanese nobleman who, after a duel, is forced to flee to Spain. There, to hide his identity, he poses as a painter and enters the service of a lady, leading to an entanglement of love and honor. The plot develops with the agility and mastery typical of Calderón, mixing humor, intrigue, and class conflicts. This edition does not only reproduce the text, but also documents the production process, the directorial decisions, and the adaptation made for the contemporary stage, offering a dual perspective: literary and theatrical.
Main Themes
- Honor and reputation in Golden Age society.
- Romantic entanglement and mistaken identity as a dramatic engine.
- Social criticism of appearances and hypocrisy.
- The process of adapting and directing a classic for contemporary theatre.
- The staging and the work of the National Classical Theatre Company.
Who is it recommended for?
Students and theatre professionals, stage directors, playwrights, and actors interested in the staging of the classics. It is also an essential read for lovers of Golden Age literature who wish to know how a professional production of Calderón is approached. Likewise, it is of great use to theatre critics and teachers working on the play from a theatrical perspective.
What this book offers
- Access to Calderón's original text alongside Eduardo Vasco's stage version.
- Understanding of the creative process and directorial decisions in a professional production.
- Documentation of a theatrical milestone by the National Classical Theatre Company.
- A study tool to analyze the adaptation of classical texts to contemporary theatre.
- Added value as a reference material for theatre professionals and enthusiasts.
Technical Data
- Author: Calderón de la Barca, Pedro
- Publisher: National Institute of Performing Arts and Music
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: THEATRE DIRECTION AND PRODUCTION, PLAYS, THEATRICAL TEXTS
- Collection: OUT OF COLLECTION
- Binding: Other
- Publication Date: January 2008
- Number of pages: 123
- Weight: 420 g
Editorial Assessment
This edition stands out for its dual focus: literary and theatrical. By including the version and direction of Eduardo Vasco, it offers a unique perspective on how a classic can be reinterpreted without losing its essence. It is a reference work for those seeking to understand the dialogue between the original text and its contemporary staging, becoming a valuable resource for both academic study and professional theatre practice.