Welcome to Theatre of Death
In one evening you will thrill as we present seven short plays dealing with the subject of death, dying and murder...
These play are known as Teatro Breve, or Brief Theatre. This plays that run anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes each have been captivating audiences for the last several centuries; dating back to the Middle Ages.
A few years ago we had the pleasure of introducing this unusual style of theatre for the first time in Texas. Every year we choose seven different plays that have never been seen in this area that, provoke, frighten, amuse and enthrall.
The 7 plays presented this year are:
The Love of Bernal Francés, Anonymous, 15th Century,
A chilling tale of infidelity, deception, lust, and mistaken identity.
Room 13, Alejandro de la Costa, 2006,
This is a another entry of the wildly popular “13” plays: “13 Minutes,” and “13th Floor” in which Adam, Brad, Carla and Dana, face another bout with the surreal…and yes, this play, like the other two in the series lasts 13 minutes, and no, you need not to have seen the other plays for this one to make sense, it is not a sequel.
Lamentation of the Fifth Anguish, Fray Iñigo de Mendoza, 1490(?)
This gorgeous piece was more then likely performed before Queen Isabella’s court circa 1490 and it was lost and forgotten over the centuries, and the first recorded performance since its original debut over half a millennia ago.
Havoc of Love and Jealousy, a Tragedy, Juan Valera, 1898,
This play is politically incorrect, utterly absurd and as his wannabe actress friend that commissioned the piece stated: “everyone must die, but not by any natural causes.” Oh, and it couldn’t last more then 14 or 15 minutes –perhaps because she wasn’t really an actress and she couldn’t memorize much dialogue?
The Student, Travis Mayo, 2006
Travis Mayo is a student at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas, he is 17 and insanely gifted. This piece is 5 minutes in length yet will leave you reeling.
Song of Bitter, Federico García Lorca, 1921, Melody by Mark-Brian Sonna, 2006
This is perhaps the least known work of this seminal author. Written as an experimental piece, it is an erotically charged musical.
Mind Games, Mark-Brian Sonna, 2006, USA
It is said that only true friends will help you hide a body. This theory is put to the ultimate test in this short play. We’d like to say, “Enjoy it,” but that’s not the author intended. This is the truly macabre piece of the evening.
All translations are done by Mark-Brian Sonna.
