“This sample tries to publicize the complexity of the regional theater.” These are the words of Manuel Palomino Arjona, a passionate about the performing arts and the promoter of an exhibition that, starting this weekend, has its headquarters in Cimadevilla, in the LAi room (Laboratory of Intimate Art). “I do it at the request of Begoña Muñoz, who is the one who runs the room and has been fighting alone for years,” says Palomino, who did not hesitate to bring out his collector’s vein. All the material that he wears in the barrio alto space comes from his background. “I have a lot of material on the Asturian theater,” confesses the man from Mier. The exhibition does not appear at a random moment: next March 27th is World Theater Day.
The proposal, divided into numerous sections, pays tribute to famous actors such as Arturo Fernández, the Prendes brothers, Valeriano León or Margarita Robles, in a tribute to the beginnings of professionalism in regional dramaturgy. In turn, the theater of customs also enjoys its space in the LAi room, as well as a section where there is room for countless books, photographs, old postcards, theater tickets or magazines. There are even some texts from “Fuenteovejuna”, by Lope de Vega. The relationship between theater and women and theater and music can be seen through different elements. There are puppets and masks.
Palomino vindicates the social theater “disappeared from history because with the dictatorship it was condemned to ostracism.” There is a peculiar part called “Te@tr@” that represents an approach to chamber and university theater. In short, the exhibition is a way of “getting up to date on many theatrical trends”, as stated by its main promoter, a Palomino who extols the richness of regional theater. “Some wanted to deny its existence, belittling it, but we have many gems,” he underlines. “Everything is very mixed,” says Manuel Palomino, who is confident that the collection’s stay in the room will extend a few days beyond March 27. “We seek to cover as much as possible,” remarks a Palomino who believes that the original sample will captivate visitors. “There are many colorful things that explain theater in a different way,” he says. “We want it to be an active and dynamic spectator”, wishes the promoter of a compilation that is around 160 pieces with the aim of highlighting the regional theater.
