El Álbum

Yesterday I went to the María Reiche park in Miraflores to see a Colombian play called “El álbum” from the Tecal theatre group. The play was about a family album. One of the girls in the photo was telling us the different stories of her family members in different moments in their life.

The girl who was telling the story had a microphone in her hand while the other characters were in still picture at the back on top of tables. I felt as if I was in a 4 year old party with animation. The actress’ voice gave me this sensation, this could be because she was with a microphone in her hand and she was moving a lot.

The actors had an incredible balance and control of their body. They could stay still for a very long time while doing difficult postures. They also had body paint. They represented one specific colour. For example one of them was blue and all the props and costumes were also blue. This character used to watch blue TV shows and used to eat blue food.

The body paint, the costumes and the props helped a lot to create the illusion of a statue. The costumes were like old and they looked like if they were made of plastic. This three factors and the ability to stay still of the actors helped the audience to think that they were just statues instead of normal people when doing very structured and well organized still pictures.

What I didn´t like of the play is that it was represented in an open space, in a park. I was standing up with a lot of people in front of me and the actors where in the same level as I was. I think I prefer to watch plays in theatres. A proscenium arch is better for me. In here I can sit very comfortably and watch the actors in a higher or maybe lower level than me. It’s my preference.