Ninón Sevilla: From Theatrical Debut to Cinematic Icon in Mexico – The Untold Story

The actress debuted in a famous Mexican theater Credit: FFBFundacion Ninon Sevilla Internacional AC

Emilia Pérez Castellanos, better known in the international artistic community as Ninón Sevilla, is considered the greatest figure of rumberas cinema in Mexico for her multiple contributions during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.

Even her most remembered protagonist is ‘Elena Tejero’ in ‘Aventurera’ (1950), as it not only marked a watershed for future productions full of Cuban flavor in Mexican environments, it also served to launch her career until she established herself as an icon.

Many remember the Cuban artist for her film roles, but very few know that before shining in the cinema, she debuted as an actress on a famous Mexican stage. It is nothing more and nothing less than the Teatro Lírico, located at number 46 of the Republic of Cuba -formerly Calle del Águila-, Centro Historico, postal code 06010, Mexico City.

This is how the Lyrical Theater currently looks, cradle of iconic artists of the (Golden Age of Mexican Cinema such as Lupe Velez, Celia Montalván, Roberto Soto, Joaquin Pardavé, Delia Maga-ña, Emma Duval, the trio Gamica Ascencio. (Photo: Twitter /@city_chronicles)

However, according to the information shared by journalist Enrique Vidal on the YouTube channel Sedeculta, Ninón Sevilla would have debuted at the Degollado Theater in Guadalajara, Jalisco, because: “The artists who performed there (Teatro Lírico) were taking too long ”.

The truth is that the Cuban artist performed in both theaters when she began her career in Mexico in 1946. Her fame grew like wildfire, because in a matter of months she captured the attention of the renowned Mexican film director and producer José Días Morales, who hired her so that he could bring out his best steps in the film ‘Carita de Cielo’ (1947).

There, Ninón Sevilla shared credits with María Elena Marqués, Antonio Badú, Queta Lavat, Fernando Soto ‘Mantequilla’, Jorge Mondragón and Pepe Guizar.

The facility is located at Calle Degollado s/n, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jalisco. (Photo: GoogleMaps)

The Mexican films that Ninón Sevilla starred in during her career are available on various streaming platforms and YouTube.

The famous venue where Ninón Sevilla would have debuted almost eight decades ago, was inaugurated in 1907 and was the birthplace of important works until 2002. During its history as a national entertainment center, it underwent renovations in 1935, 1965 and 1985 for different reasons, the last being the most serious of all. And unfortunately it was damaged by the earthquake that occurred on September 19 in Mexico.

Currently, only its façade remains at number 46 of the Republic of Cuba, an infrastructure that over the years was forgotten and the light of what was once a prestigious theater was extinguished with broken windows and graffiti.

The actress died in 2015. Credit: FFBFundacion Ninon Sevilla Internacional AC
2024-04-06 16:13:43
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