Rabinal Achi

Rabinal Achi, adapted and directed by Jorge Luis Morejon. Publicity picture.

Actors: Rosanna Morrone, Daniel Lugo, Nick Perez, Martin Mayen

Rabinal Achí, Precolombian Theater
by Luis de la Paz, Diario de Las Américas (translation)

The only space for alternative theater in the city, Camera Obscura, is going into ancient forms of expression, through a fresh look, and full of cultural nuances to Rabinal Achí, a pre-Colombian drama, which goes back to the Mayans, more specifically towards those established on the territory of Guatemala.

Jorge Luis Morejon and Thelos Theater Group took the text that has come to our days, to offer a comprehensive show, which includes extensive dialogues through monologues, dance rituals, the use of masks, costumes in accordance with the time represented, in addition to the a successful musical arrangement of Alexandro Danko Sieth, which integrates the elements specific to the region, such as flutes and drums. The unification of these components, has resulted in a successful proposal.

The drama of Rabinal Achí is comparable, from the point of view of its significance, to the Popol-Vuh and the Chilam-Balam, which are part of the pre-Hispanic customs transmitted through word of mouth, until after colonization when early versions were made in writing. The tour started with Bartolo Sis' literary text in 1850 and then to abate Charles Etienne Brasseur of Bourbourg, collecting directly from the tragedy of Quiche, Rabinal Achí was published in Paris in 1862, a later versions in Spanish arrived.

The story notes that the warrior Cavek Queche spied for 260 days and 260 nights on the strength of Rabinal, to kidnap and bring in the Lord of Rabinal. Subsequently, the warrior Rabinal Achí rescued his lord and captured the enemy warrior. At this point begins the work proposed by Morejon, when Rabinal Achí comes with the prisoner and begins to establish an angry dialogue where the two contenders hurl allegations at each other, highlighting the fights and adventures of each, until the final outcome, when the the prisoner is executed.

Using arena theatre as a resource and without any sets, as props a cane, and a mesh mask, Jorge Luis Morejon put into operation a successful dramatic structure that is smooth and precise, despite being a repetitive text with little scenic movement.

The interpretive work of Martin Mayen and Nick Perez as warriors is well accomplished. The first is very expressive, with a strong voice and fury to the surface. In the other hand, Perez has to perform, nearly all his participation, crawling on the floor covered by a mesh. Still, he reaches height in his interpretation. The play is an act of an hour and a half long without a break. During the "intermediate" part of it, it is almost incidental when the actors move from Spanish language (the language it starts with at the beginning), to English. Although the transition flows naturally, I do not see the reasons for the play to be bilingual, meaning that one par is in one language and then the other.

The other two characters Chief Five Rain, interpreted by Daniel Lugo and Lady (Rossanna Morrone), work side by side, blending in the making, which has a high moment when all four players moving slowly, almost ceremonially, complemented each other by producing an increasing lamenting sound, which marks the end of the work.

Rabinal Achí is an integral and necessary work in our multi-ethnic city. It is a wise move to offer the public this truly unique work, which hardly will return to the stage.

Rabinal Achí , Cultural Space Camera Obscura, 1165 SW 6 Street.. Rabinal Achí, Espacio Cultural Camera Obscura, 1165 SW 6 Street. Friday and Saturday 8:30 pm and Sunday2:00 pm. Suggested Donation:$ 20.00