The theatre of Bécquer

Abstract

This paper attempts in the first instance to place Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s work for the theatre in the context of its time, thereby exposing certain misunderstandings regarding the drama produced by the author of the Rimas which have until now been critical commonplaces. These misconceptions concern: collaboration, the use of pseudonyms, and the translation or adaptation of work for the theatre. The works for the theatre written in collaboration with García Luna and written under the pseudonym of Adolfo García are then analysed: three original works, the comedy La novia y el pantalón and two musical comedies Tal para cual and La venta encantada, and adaptations of two french works, a variety show, Las distracciones, and a melodrama, La cruz del valle. All this reveals a Bécquer who was passionate, both as critic and author, about the theatre, and whose work for the stage far from being devoid of lyric beauty and scenic skill can finally be seen in its true light without misplaced comparisons of undervalued dramatic qualities with lyrical excellence arising from a unbalanced picture of a «pure» poet removed from the real world and the practical concerns of the theatre.