Anyone who has ever seen the Agrupación Señor Serrano’s performers will know their method: telling stories with a narrator who manipulates different models and figures and creates scenes captured and broadcast live by video-cameras. 2020 saw this stage group embark on a parallel project, a trilogy we can now see in full for the first time in Barcelona and which has a few special features: it is designed for children to feel they are independent spectators, so without any adults in the room apart from the performers or theatre staff. It offers three different stories that introduce children to the Greek myths in a language and with references kids can relate to in their own lives. Instead of giving conclusive answers, the trilogy offers its young audiences a constructive dialogue on several very topical issues, set clearly on developing the children’s critical spirit.
And it does so by telling three stories that form our western cultural substrate, through miniature figures, pieces of a toy building set, live journeys through Google Maps, paintings, comics and film excerpts. The first is the story of the Amazons (Saturday, July, 2, at noon), a group of women warriors who created an alternative and exclusively female society over three thousand years ago. Are girls and boys equals? Do all conflicts have to be resolved peacefully? Amazons and a few Greek “heroes” are the central characters in this story, although they also include Pussy Riot, the Guerrilla Girls and a few of their more male-chauvinist opponents (yes, including the neighbour from above or below). The second part tells children the story of Prometheus (Saturday, July, 2, 6.00 p.m.) who stole fire from the gods for the sake of mankind, a selfless sacrifice given the cruel punishment later meted out to him. But who are today’s Prometheuses? Kids will discover all that as they discuss Prometheus and Zeus, Doctor Frankenstein and his “creature”, as well as Julian Assange and Scotland Yard. Finally, children will be able to reflect on the relationship between human beings and nature thanks to the story of the goddess Demeter (Sunday, July 3, at noon), responsible for the equilibrium of the environment, who will have to subject the consumerist voracity of King Erysichthon (perhaps the image of humanity itself) to an exemplary punishment. On the way, the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, the cheap clothes we buy and the hamburgers we eat.
An approach to classical antiquity for young audiences whose first piece alone, Prometeu [Prometheus], was acclaimed in 2021 with the FETEN award (Feria Europea de Teatro para Niños y Niñas de Gijón) and the Drac d’Or de la Fira de Teatre de Lleida for most innovative show, plus the Drac d’Or Julieta Agustí, as well as the Fira de Teatre de Lleida, for best show.
Saturday, July, 2, at noon: Amazones
Saturday, July, 2, 6.00 p.m.: Prometeu
Sunday, July 3, at noon: Demèter
A Barcelona Grec Festival 2022 and Agrupación Señor Serrano co-production.
With support from Sala Beckett (artistic residendy 2020-21), the Catalan Ministry of Culture, Sala Beckett, Centro de Cultura Contemporánea Condeduque, Mostra Igualada.
A show for young audiences aged 7 to 11 (without any adults in the room).
Playwright and director: Olympus Kids Performer: Jofre Carabén Music: Roger Costa Vendrell Puppet-maker: Lola Belles Management: Art Republic
