Coinciding with the bicentennial of the enactment of the 1812 Constitution, Teatro Central in Seville presents a new version of “State of Siege” (1948), the play by the French Nobel Albert Camus (1913-1960). The play will be presented at La Cartuja stage from the 24^th of January to the 5^th of February. Feel free to visit the online magazine of the institution, where you can find more details of programming in the following address: http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/teatrocentral/pdf/TDM_CENTRAL_2011.pdf

Directed by Jose Luis de Castro, “State of Siege” recreates the Constituent Courts of Cadiz and the short liberal period that ended with the return to absolutism of Fernando VII. The French and Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus, in “State of Siege” develops a similar topic, than the one covered in his emblematic work “The Plague”. While the last is physical illness (based on a historical event) that drowns, and kills the  characters of an Algier harassed  by an epidemic, in “State of Siege” there is a frightening political situation, which has imprisoned an entire nation. Camus addresses this short liberal period that culminated in an outrageous and absurd tyranny, as if it was a viral epidemic. “State of Siege” with a new style, which mixes all genres, has as main characters Death and Plague, symbolizing tyranny and injustice, which roam around a town that barely can get rid of oppression. In the text we can read see through all the background that overwhelms the nihilistic work by Albert Camus, at the same time there is a strong plea for freedom. Although it may seem distant, the background topic of “State of Siege”, with other historical conditioning, of course, it is still fully present.

The 1812 Spanish Constitution was the first attempt (which totally failed in practice) to establish a modern state. Although it was in applicable for a few years, with some interruptions, it failed in its development, since it was abolished with the restoration of Fernando VII. With this frustrated attempt to generate a weak democracy, with its separation of powers and freedom of press (history of freedom of expression), Spain lost its first historic opportunity to become a modern state governed by liberal laws and based on merit and education.

According to the organizers: “The result [in "State of Siege"] is an intensive and eclectic mix of Euripides with self-sacramental and the echoes of The Camus’s Plague. The dialogues speak of the repeated concerns of the author: freedom, tyranny, death, love and faith in the light of the Mediterranean as a cure for the ills of the spirit in the West. “

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The Pearl of the Guadalquivir is beautiful even in winter. Book apartments in Seville You’ll be amazed with the golden light of its sunsets.

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Translated by: Hans
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