The Eyes: A Telluric Melodrama

Argentine playwright and director Pablo Messiez's Los ojos (2011) adapts to the theatre the classic nineteenth-century Spanish novel Marianela (1878) by Benito Pérez Galdós. In doing so Messiez gives the narrative a political twist, questioning the extent to which the domain of sight, or that which is superficially evident, is an accurate representation of reality.

In equal parts disturbing and provocative, the play received critical acclaim following its theatrical premiere in Madrid's Teatro Fernán Gómez in 2011. Touching in particular on issues of immigration and disability, and incorporating contemporary dramaturgical techniques, the text offers a prime example of the latest developments in Argentine and Spanish theatre.

This new translation introduces English-speaking readers to this remarkable transnational and transtemporal work for the first time. The introduction includes a description of Messiez's theatrical career, a discussion of the dynamics of new Argentine and Spanish theatre, and a critical analysis of the play, taking into account its relationship with Pérez-Galdós's novel. Also included is an interview with the playwright conducted specially for this edition.

María Bastianes is a Research Lecturer at the Complutense University of Madrid (Theatre Institute of Madrid, ITEM).

Alma Prelec is a postdoctoral researcher at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (University of London).

Pablo Messiez is a recipient of the Max Award for the Performing Arts for Best Director (2016) and Best Show (2016, 2023).