27-19
VILLAGE THEATER
EXAMPLE 2: THE WOMEN JOIN TOGETHER
TO OVERCOME DRUNKENNESS
In many parts of the world, the drinking of alcohol is one of the biggest problems
affecting family health. It is also one of the most difficult problems for health
workers, mothers, or other concerned persons to do anything about.
The idea for this play came from a collectively run squatter community on the
outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico. Alarmed by the abuses of drunken men, the
women of the community joined together to put a stop to drinking. They convinced
the community leaders to make a special jail, so that men who became abusive
when drunk could be locked up until they became sober. They also went with the
leaders to all the local bars and whorehouses, taking away their beer, wine, and
liquor. The women thought of handing it over to the health authorities, but feared it
would be sold back to illegal bars. So they held a public ‘bottle-smashing festival’, in
which they destroyed all the confiscated alcohol.
In Ajoya (200 miles away), the village women learned about the action taken
by the courageous women in Monterrey. They decided to put on a play, to show
everyone what a group of women could do. Many women, including some
grandmothers who would normally refuse to be seen on stage, eagerly took part
when they found the play was about the problem of drinking.
The men in the play were given funny names related to drinking. Also, there
were many jokes and puns in Spanish. Many of them have been lost in this
translation. But if you decide to try a similar play, be sure to make it entertaining
by including plenty of jokes and funny names. These provide ‘comic relief (see p.
27-11).
1)
2) “Mama, I’m hungry!” With these
words, the play begins. The scene is the
home of At Cole and his wife, Tristina. (Triste
means ‘sad’ in Spanish.) Tristina is sweeping
while her children cry with hunger. She
explains that their father left an hour ago with
the family’s last money, to buy food at the
village store. He should be back any minute.
In fact, he is late. Tristina does not know what
could be taking him so long. The children are
hungry, and continue to cry and complain.