The Reception and Analysis of the Performance of Widows, by Ariel Dorfman

Abstract

The present study analyzes Widows, a play written by Ariel Dorfman, as a theatrical performance and a literary text. Through the critical reviews about various cases of performance of Widows in non-Spanish speaking countries, we find out how the drama on the disappeared of Latin America was received by audiences around the world. The critics of the United States, Brazil and South Korea showed different understandings about the theme due to the socio-historic experiences of each country and the direction of non-linguistic elements. The analysis of the script focuses on the non-realistic aspects that present a challenge when being interpreted on stage, to make suggestions on its direction. The narrator, the river, and the poetic character of the script can be more effective and coherent with appropriate performances.