In April 2013, the Reina Victoria
Theatre in Madrid will host the premiere of a new musical produced
in Spain. "Ay, Carmela!," based on José Sanchis Sinisterra's play,
which premiered in 1987 and was subsequently adapted to the screen
under the direction of Carlos Saura in 1990, starring Carmen Maura
and Andrés Pajares as leading characters.
The lead actors in this new screen
adaptation are Inma Cuesta and Javi Gutiérrez, known for their
participation in the popular TV series 'Águila Roja.' (Red Eagle).
In the musical, several new pieces produced by composer and the
show's musical director Joan Valent from Mallorca, will premiere as
well as several Spanish contemporary pieces. The producer of the
musical is Andrés Vicente Gómez and the director is Andrés
Lima.
The plot of Ay, Carmela! is the
following: Carmela (courageous and spontaneous), Paulino (pragmatic
and cowardly) and Gustavete (mute) are minstrels who perform for
the republican troops during the Spanish Civil War. They soon tire
of the hardships at the front. One day they set out for Valencia
but, by mistake, end up in the region controlled by the
nationalists. There, they are taken prisoner and the only way for
them to save their lives is by performing for a group of
nationalist army officers, which clashes with their ideology.
Roberto Rodriguez
Photo: Jorge París