Description
Evel Knievel vs. Macbeth in the land of the late Umberto
Book summary
A delirious theatrical epic that blends Salvador de Bahía with classical mythology and pop culture. In this play, the reader witnesses an absurd and vibrant war where stunt motorcyclist Evel Knievel allies with local hero Neronga to free the Bahian people from the tyranny of Orson Welles, disguised as Macbeth. Amidst acarajé stalls, Athenian philosophers on a field trip, and a giant glitter-covered phallus, Rodrigo García constructs a text that challenges the boundaries of the theatrical genre, combining blank verse, stylized violence, and a dark humor that pays homage to Umberto Eco.
What is it about?
The action takes place between two acarajé stalls, Dinha's and Cira's, in Salvador de Bahía. Orson Welles, disguised as Macbeth, has seized control of the region and reinstated slavery. To combat him, the popular stunt motorcyclist Evel Knievel joins forces with Neronga, a local hero, on a mission of liberation. In the midst of this scuffle—with lightning bolts, knife fights, flying kicks, and iambic pentameter verses—the philosophers Lysias and Demosthenes arrive from Athens as stowaways on a rusted ship carrying the set design for a modern version of an Aeschylus play: a giant, glitter-covered phallus. The international festival where it was to be performed has been canceled due to the war in Bahía, leaving the philosophers trapped in the chaos.
Main themes
- Tyranny and popular resistance in an absurd and carnivalesque context.
- The clash between high culture (classical theater, philosophy) and popular culture (stunts, comic books, film).
- The parody of heroic archetypes and the revision of historical and literary figures.
- Stylized violence as a scenic and narrative device.
- A tribute to theatrical and literary tradition, with references to Shakespeare, Aeschylus, and Umberto Eco.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at readers and spectators of contemporary theater interested in groundbreaking and experimental proposals. It is ideal for those who enjoy texts that mix highbrow and pop references with dark humor and an unconventional narrative structure. It will also be attractive to students and professionals in the performing arts looking for inspiration in the most daring and playful dramaturgy.
What this book offers
- A theatrical reading experience that defies genre conventions, combining verse, action, and absurd comedy.
- A unique cross-pollination of cultural references that invites reflection on tyranny, freedom, and art.
- A short but dense work, perfect for performing or studying in experimental theater workshops.
- A playful tribute to figures like Orson Welles, Evel Knievel, and Umberto Eco, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens.
Technical specifications
- Author: Rodrigo García
- Publisher: Ediciones La Uña Rota
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Plays, theatrical texts
- Collection: Libros Robados
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: April 2018
- Number of pages: 62
- Weight: 70 g
Editorial review
A bold and overflowing theatrical proposal that demonstrates Rodrigo García's versatility in fusing disparate references into a coherent and vibrant text. The play, brief but intense, offers a space for scenic experimentation where classical tradition and popular culture clash explosively. Recommended for those looking for theater that does not fear absurdity or provocation, and that understands the stage as an intellectual and visceral playground.