March 22

Theatre that addresses “the lack of a strong national identity” dept: Nope. Not English Canada, but Honduras.

“I believe a person’s four basic needs are food, shelter, prayer, and art. The poor need art as much or more than the well-to-do” said Nicaraguan poet Ernesto Cardenal. Hondurans would agree.

Visit here for a terrific essay on Teatro La Fragua’s extraordinary brand of political theatre for the impoverished.

“I’m more and more convinced that you don’t convert anybody in the theatre. At least not directly by ideas. You can play to the already converted, you can hold a pep rally, but I don’t think theatre is the forum that’s really going to change anybody’s mind. It’s going to change people’s feelings.” – La Fragua’s Artistic Director, Jack Warner.

La Fragua believes that when you see the cultural, sociological, and religious reality of your world reflected in a theatrical work, you are in a better position to understand that reality more clearly, and thereby to deal with it more effectively and assume some control over your own destiny.

• 22 03 2005 - 15:34