<i>La Negra Ester</i>, voluntad de cambio más allá de las fronteras: conexiones entre el Theátre du Soleil y el Gran Circo Teatro

Abstract

La Negra Ester (1988), by Chilean company Gran Circo Teatro, is recognized as one of the greatest cultural exponents of Chile’s return to democracy. It is also representative of the exaltation of popular culture. This article considers, from the perspective of connected history, the relationship between Chilean and French theater based on the study of the exchanges between Andres Perez –founder of Gran Circo Teatro– and the Theatre du Soleil, directed by Arianne Mnouchkine. Given the importance of this connection, in terms of theatrical exchange and international solidarity, its analysis on different levels becomes a privileged ground to understand some of the tensions implied by the advent of globalization and multiculturalism in Latin America (after the experience of long dictatorial periods), as well the process of Chilean democratic transition. This analysis will focus on theatrical poetics (particulary, as evidenced in La Negra Ester) and organizational aspects of both companies, as well as on the relationship between theatre and state cultural policies.