Theatre Censorship in Spain, 19311985

By (author) Catherine O'Leary, Michael Thompson

Publication date:

15 May 2023

Length of book:

560 pages

Publisher

University of Wales Press

Dimensions:

216x138mm

ISBN-13: 9781786839824

BOOK DESCRIPTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS

This is a comprehensive study of the impact of censorship on theatre in twentieth-century Spain. It draws on extensive archival evidence, vivid personal testimonies and in-depth analysis of legislation to document the different kinds of theatre censorship practised during the Second Republic (1931–6), the civil war (1936–9), the Franco dictatorship (1939–75) and the transition to democracy (1975–85). Changes in criteria, administrative structures and personnel from these periods are traced in relation to wider political, social and cultural developments, and the responses of playwrights, directors and companies are explored. With a focus on censorship, new light is cast on particular theatremakers and their work, the conditions in which all kinds of theatre were produced, the construction of genres and canons, as well as on broader cultural history and changing ideological climate – all of which are linked to reflections on the nature of censorship and the relationship between culture and the state.

Acknowledgements List of illustrations List of abbreviations Introduction 1. The Evolution of Theatre Censorship in Spain from the 1830s to the 1930s 2. Un teatro de ida y vuelta: All Change and No Change in the Second Republic and the Civil War Case Study: Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús, by Vicente Mena Pérez 3. The Franco Dictatorship: Censorship as ‘Propaganda’, ‘Education’ and ‘Information’ Case Study: La casa de Bernarda Alba, by Federico García Lorca 4. The Pervasiveness of Censorship during the Dictatorship: Right-Wing Triumphalism, Commercial Theatre, Revistas and Catalan Theatre Case Study: La Infanzona, by Jacinto Benavente 5. The Realist Generation: A Spotlight on the Margins of Society Case Study: Escuadra hacia la muerte, by Alfonso Sastre 6. Experimental, Avant-Garde and Independent Theatre: Pushing the Boundaries Case Study: Castañuela 70, by Tábano and Las Madres del Cordero 7. The Censorship of Foreign Theatre: From Taming the Text to Disruptive Drama Case Study: El círculo de tiza caucasiano, by Bertolt Brecht 8. Dénouement: Dismantling the Apparatus during the Transition to Democracy Case Study: La torna, by Els Joglars/Albert Boadella Conclusion Bibliography: Archival sources Legislation Other sources Index