Lagartijas Tiradas al Sol

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They are tenacious, stubborn and very creative: Since 2003 and with impressive consistency, the collective Lagartijas Tiradas al Sol, founded by Luisa Pardo and Lázaro Gabino Rodríguez, has brought to life books, radio, film and theatre shows focussed on Mexico and its diversity.

«Things are the way they are, but they could also be different» is the collective's credo. Its way forward into a different future is based on a critical assessment of the past. Currently, the company is working on a 32-part «inventory» of the multiple forms of democracy in Mexico's 32 federal states. «La democracia en México 1965–2015» is an indepth analysis of those different forms. «Tiburón», the eighth part of this long-term project, tells the story of José Maria de Barahona, a Jesuit from Seville, who travelled to Tiburón Island in 1539 in order to christianise the indigenous Tocariku. The letters he wrote on the island were published in 1645 under the title «Triumphs of Our Holy Faith among These Tribes, the Most Barbaric in the North». They are one of the sources of «Tiburón».

This solo performance skilfully combines reenactment with historical documents, research, object theatre and videos of a trip to the island. In a condensed form, «Tiburón» examines the possibilities and the consequences of intercultural encounters. (esc)