María Pagés champions the power of women and the power of words with 'De Scheherezade'

BarcelonaFor years, the choreographer and flamenco dancer María Pagés (Seville, 1963) uses art to reclaim the role of women through classical works and also in the contemporary world. "Ever since I visited the Prado Museum for the first time and saw that there wasn't a single painting on display by a woman, I've felt the need to highlight the female role in art," says the artist. This is the path she has followed with shows such as I, Carmen, which could be seen at Temporada Alta in 2016, and which continues now with From ScheherazadeIt is a large-scale production, with 14 performers on stage, which will premiere at the Teatre Jardí in Figueres this Saturday as part of the Girona festival.

The show was born from Arabian NightsThis idea came from the play's dramaturgy director, El Arbi El Harti. "We wanted to talk about all those women who, throughout history, have spoken out. Shahrazad is the ultimate example, because she not only survives but transforms her murderer. She saves herself and saves all of humanity," explains the playwright. On stage, Pagés embodies the character of Shahrazad and acts as a connecting thread, linking her to other female figures, such as Medea, Carmen, and Yerma, through twelve scenes. "A continuous dialogue is created between the group and the woman as an individual. We are constantly working together and separately. Choreographically, it's fascinating," Pagés emphasizes.

Poetry surrounding Shahrazad

The choice of Shahrazad as the central figure also reflects the creators' desire to reclaim the power of words as tools for resolving conflicts. "We live in a complex time, in which democracy is weary. We must be vigilant about where we are headed. Dialogue and empathy are essential to choosing the right path," says El Harti. In this sense, From Scheherazade use the singing flamenco to bring the words to the forefront of the stage. female singers They sing together and are also narrators throughout the entire work. They distill and shape the flamenco dramaturgy through their own voices. you sing"Pagés points out that all the music in the work is original—composed by Rubén Levaniegos, Sergio Menem, David Moñiz, and María Pagés herself—and that they have worked "from the poetry created around Xahrazad."

Another of the intentions with which they have worked. "It's fascinating to see how María transforms each word into movement, and how she thus awakens the capacity to communicate sensations and values," the playwright emphasizes. From Scheherazade It was conceived during the pandemic and is a co-production of the Liceu in Barcelona and the Abu Dhabi Festival.