Ibsen the Mexican way: or on how our country received the most represented playwright after Shakespeare

Víctor Grovas Hajj

CONACULTA / INBA-CITRU
México, 2008
131 p.

This research is a follow-up to the presence of Henrik Ibsen’s playwriting (1828-1906) in Mexico —in stagings, seasons, translations, editions of his works and critical studies— over a little more than a century: from 1896 —a year in which a work of his was first presented in this country, Ghosts, by the Italian company of Andrea Maggi— until the stagings, publications and academic meetings held in 2006 during the centennial anniversary of the Norwegian playwright. The author of this study, Víctor Grovas, also participated visibly. The strict review of primary and secondary sources shapes a wide view of the impact of said playwriting. This is revealed in the good fortune granted by the critics to the over 50 stagings reviewed as to the appreciation and critical assessments by Mexican writers and scholars of the last century. The chapter list below attests to such contents: I. The first performances and the reception of Gutiérrez Nájera, Luis G. Urbina, Tablada, Nervo, Reyes and others. II. Ibsen in the time and age of the Mexican Revolution: Carlos Barrera and his contribution to the study and translation of Ibsen. III. The 40’s: Usigli and Ibsen. IV. In the 50’s and throughout the 90’s. V. Ibsen in Mexico after the year 2000. In the appendix there is a chronology of premieres of shows or events referring to the works of Ibsen in Mexico, including files with title, date, company, author, producer, cast and sources consulted.