Description
The New Comedy or The Coffee House
Book Summary
This edition collects the text and stage production of The New Comedy or The Coffee House, the famous play by Leandro Fernández de Moratín. The reader will find the version and direction by Ernesto Caballero, premiered by the National Classical Theater Company at the Teatro Pavón in Madrid. A volume that allows one to delve into the masterpiece of Spanish neoclassical theater, combining the original text with a contemporary staging that updates its social and literary criticism.
What is it about?
Moratín's play satirizes the excesses of popular theater of the time through the story of Don Eleuterio, an amateur author who has written a nonsensical play. The action takes place in a Madrid coffee house, where various characters argue about the quality of the piece and the state of the performing arts. This edition documents the production by the National Classical Theater Company, directed by Ernesto Caballero, which offers an updated and critical reading of the original text, maintaining its satirical essence and its value as a reflection on the craft of theater.
Main themes
- Criticism of poor theater and the lack of rigor in literary creation.
- The figure of the amateur playwright and his conflicts with the established canon.
- The debate on artistic quality and public tastes in the 18th century.
- Social and literary satire as a tool for theatrical renewal.
- The process of adapting and staging a classic in contemporary theater.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and lovers of classical Spanish theater, as well as performing arts professionals, directors, playwrights, and critics interested in the adaptation of historical texts. It will also be of interest to those who wish to learn about the work of the National Classical Theater Company and Ernesto Caballero's vision of one of Moratín's fundamental works.
What this book provides
- Access to the complete text of the play along with documentation of its stage production.
- A contemporary view of a neoclassical theater classic, thanks to the version and direction of Ernesto Caballero.
- Reference material for understanding the theatrical context of the 18th century and its current relevance.
- A useful tool for the study and staging of the play.
Technical specifications
- Author: Fernández de Moratín, Leandro
- Publisher: National Institute of Performing Arts and Music
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Theater direction and production, Plays, Theatrical texts
- Collection: To be determined
- Binding: Other
- Publication date: January 2009
- Number of pages: 127
- Weight: 451 g
Editorial review
This edition is of great interest due to its dual nature: it offers the classic text by Moratín and, at the same time, documents a relevant stage production by the National Classical Theater Company. Ernesto Caballero's version provides a renewed perspective that connects 18th-century criticism with current theatrical concerns. It is a highly recommended work for those seeking to delve into Spanish theater from both a literary and a stage perspective.