La Abadía Presents a Poetic Journey Through Rulfo’s "Sole"
This December, La Abadía theatre in Madrid welcomes Natalia, a unique theatrical experience bringing Juan Rulfo’s poignant tale “Sole” to the stage through the magic of puppetry. The José Luis Alonso Room will host La Chané Pine theatre company for five performances, December 11th through the 15th, featuring dancer Ana Luz de Andrés giving life to a cast of expressive puppets.
Natalia, directed by Jaime Santos, marks the culmination of La Abadía’s trio of theatrical presentations highlighting the richness of Latin American literature.
Referencing his personal connection to Rulfo’s work, Santos states, "Rulfo has always been a literary father in my life. I knew it by heart and made stories about it before adapting ‘Sole’. We already liked it, and it inspired both Ana Luz and me."
Adapting a story as concise as "Sole," which can be read in just 20 minutes, proved to be an interesting challenge. Santos remarks, "It has been an adventure." He and de Andrés, whose background combines dance and mathematics, sought to add another dimension to Rulfo’s evocative text. The resulting hour-long performance aims to create a “ceremony,” an immersive and deeply moving experience.
The masterful performance relies on a carefully curated blend of elements.
The puppets, chosen organically by Santos from a collection he had created for other projects, are central to the storytelling. De Andrés’s movement breathes life into the intricate figures, allowing them to communicate a richness of emotion with speechless eloquence.
Recalling her experience, de Andrés shared, "Bringing the story to the stage has been very nice. Like a retreat. Everything has been very little by little, with enjoyment and discovery of a new personal language."
Santos, who voices a character alongside de Andres as Natalia, orchestrates the show’s carefully measured time and space, highlighting the profound emotional resonance enhanced by the original musical composition by Pep Ascuel.
Reflecting on the heart of their work, Santos concludes, "I would be incapable of interpreting our show like Ana. She has all the scenic and narrative force. You have to play with the puppets until you achieve a balance between the gods and the childlike*"
Natalia promises a captivating exploration of “Sole,” weaving fantasies and sorrow into a tapestry of exquisite movement and sound.
How does Jaime Santos’ puppetry adaptation of “Sole” expand upon the themes present in Juan Rulfo’s original short story?
## Bringing Rulfo to Life: A Puppetry Adaptation of “Sole”
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show! Today, we’re talking to Jaime Santos, the director of *Natalia,* an intriguing new puppetry performance coming to Madrid’s La Abadía theater. Jaime, thank you for joining us.
**Jaime Santos:** It’s my pleasure to be here!
**Interviewer:** *Natalia* is a unique interpretation of Juan Rulfo’s short story “Sole.” What drew you to adapt this particular piece for the stage?
**Jaime Santos:** Honestly, Rulfo has always been a literary father to me. I knew “Sole” by heart before even considering adapting it. Ana Luz de Andrés, our gifted dancer, and I were inspired by its power and beauty. It felt like a story that deserved to be explored through the poetic language of puppetry.
**Interviewer:** “Sole” is a very concise tale – a reader can finish it in about 20 minutes. What were the challenges, and perhaps rewards, of adapting such a condensed work for the stage?
**Jaime Santos:** It was definitely an adventure! Stretching a story that short into a full theatrical performance requires a lot of creative improvisation. We had to delve deeper into the emotional core of the narrative, amplify its themes, and find new ways to engage the audience’s imagination.
**Interviewer:** You’ve chosen to tell the story through puppetry. Why do you think this particular art form is well-suited to convey Rulfo’s vision?
**Jaime Santos:** Puppetry has this incredible ability to tap into our primal sense of wonder and make the impossible feel real. It allows us to explore themes of loss, memory, and the human condition in a deeply moving and often surreal way – aspects that are very much present in Rulfo’s writing.
**Interviewer:** *Natalia* marks the final installment in La Abadía’s trilogy highlighting Latin American literature. What message do you hope audiences take away from this series, and specifically from *Natalia?*
**Jaime Santos:** I hope it encourages audiences to appreciate the richness and diversity of Latin American storytelling. And with *Natalia,* I want them to experience the magic of Rulfo’s words brought to life through the captivating artistry of puppetry.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jaime. *Natalia* starts December 11th at La Abadía theater and runs through December 15th. Don’t miss this unique theatrical experience!
