De Príncipes, Princesas y Otros Bichos

Last night we attended a one-time performance of Paola Izquierdo's theatre piece: De príncipes, princesas y otros bichos (of princes, princesses, and other creatures) at the Foro Cultural San Simón here in Mexico City. It was a lovely, calm area of town, with a beautiful park next to the theater. In fact, I'm not too aware of all the infrastructure and urban planning that goes on in Mexico City, but I have to say that I am very impressed by the infrastructure I've seen so far. The equipment in the parks, for example, is wonderful for kids, well maintained, and they've added fitness areas for those interested in getting their fit on. Also, this cultural center does not charge a fee to enter, making cultural activities accessible to any who desire to participate. I am so impressed by the Delegación Benito Juárez and how this governmental entity upports cultural centers, amenable urban spaces, and attempts to make sure the quality of life in their delegation is conducive to happy citizens. I am very impressed!

The exterior of the San Simón Cultural Center

The interior of the San Simón Cultural Center

The drama we saw is actually two monologues put into one. The version we saw yesterday began with Paola Izquierdo as the personification of all sorts of Disney princesses as she searched for her prince charming, who happened to be in the form of, yes, a frog. The second part of the show was Paola Izquierdo dressed as a street clown entertaining for money. Accompanying her on stage was Isaac Pérez Calzada (from "Dicen que me parezco a Santa Anna... ¡y yo ni guitarra tengo!") who played the violin, and (still waiting to hear back) who played the piano. The musicians played an integral part in the production, adding their own personalities and sound effects to the words that Paola spoke as both characters. For example, certain phrases and certain words would be accompanied by certain sound effects that were repeated throughout.

Paola Izquierdo as Princess. Photo taken from a review by Jimena Eme Vázquez.

The first monologue follows the princess as she narrates her story of following a rabbit into a hole and meeting several different frogs along her journey. Her story is riddled with feminist critiques of women's roles in society as she struggles between following her dreams of her doctoral thesis or finding her prince charming and staying inside and silent. Along her journey we learn about her family's influence on her decisions. Take the Queen of Hearts, for example. She wants her cousin to get married, or it's "Off with her head!" The humor is more light-hearted during the first half of the show, with songs from Disney movies about princes and princesses.

Paola Izquierdo as Street Clown. Photo taken from a review by Jimena Eme Vázquez.

Then, during the second half of the play, the monologue of the street clown shifts the mood into dark comedy. The ragged clothes, messy makeup, and dirty hair bring a stark contrast to the pristine, well-dressed princess of the first half of the show. It was during this second half, when, even though jokes continued to be told, it felt more uncomfortable to laugh. But laugh we did! It's as if the comedic aspects both made audience members realize that they shouldn't laugh because something should be done to change many heart-wrenching social realities, but at the same time it helps the show from spiraling into a dark abyss of depression and melancholy.

Paola Izquierdo as both clown and princess. Photo taken from a review by Jimena Eme Vázquez.

This play reminds me of Daniel Alarcón's War by Candlelight (2005), and specifically, the chapter entitled "City of Clowns." In this story, a newspaper reporter decides to live the life of a street clown to experience what it's like. But, he learns very quickly how terribly humiliating it is to live this life, and has the possibility to not have to do this for a living. However, according to the play last night, the street clown seemed to be desparate for any type of job. Paola's character described, through albures, the sexual and economic exploitation of kids that end up in the position her character was in.

Our first night in Mexico City and it was one not to forget!