Writing and staging a pastorela is a highly
entertaining activity, and because of this, almost
every Mexican school produces one with its students
to celebrate Christmas.
The basic argument of every pastorela consists in
the vicissitudes of some shepherds on their way to
Bethlehem, following a shining star. But the Devil
has sworn to prevent this and all sorts of ruses are
legitimate to achieve the goal, from changing the
road signs, to tempting one or another of them with
money, food or anything that might induce them to
commit one of the mortal sins.
In developing the script, a dose of good
humor is
important, whether naive, romatic or ironic. Plays on
words or “albures” and misunderstandings among the
shepherds are the real flavor of pastorelas.
The pastorela must also highlight a moral: there is
no such thing as a pastorela without an ending that
proves that good always triumphs
over evil, and that
Christmas is a time of forgiveness and harmony.
Repentance is a
fundamental part of the pastorela.
One of the personages who has been seduced by the
Devil must always, toward the end of the play,
acknowledge his error and and ask the Christ Child
for forgiveness.
Rhyming dialog was a very typical custom in
centuries past, and even today is used to create
comic verses. However, it is not mandatory in
creating a Pastorela script.
Normally, the main actors in the pastorela are the
shepherds, Saint Michael, and the Devil, who has the
support of other devils, usually clumsy and not even
very convinced they want to be evil. Joseph and
Mary
tend to appear toward the end of the play, but this
is not obligatory.
The Devil will always try to persuade the shepherds,
and Saint Michael will be decisive. the shepherds
tend to be enthusiastic, although there may be one
who is lazy, easily persuaded to sin. There may be
another who despite his resolve, is awkward and a
buffoon throughout the pastorela.
New characters can also be created, a mailman,
policeman, fireman, politician, talking animals …..
Don’t worry if they are not actual people.
Pastorelas, both comical and instructive, are not
required to respect reality or temporality.
The shepherds´adventures can take place on an
unusual stage, in a city for example, or somewhere
with very specific characteristics such has the North
of Mexico, or where they have to use public
transportation.
This would allow
for comical situations but that at the same time
have a moral
Nor is a huge investment in props or costumes
necessary.
Perhaps the actors are identified only by a hat or
a detail that defines who they are playing. Commonly
available objects can be employed. What must not be
missing, are the devil’s horns, and Saint
Michael Arcangel’s halo and white garments.
As for the stage setting, this can be anything from
a wide patio to a true theater. No big investment
is needed because the journey is generally in open
spaces, and in all events, minimalist references can
be used to indicate the location: a road crossing,
a wooden fence for the manger, a traffic light for a
city.....
Writing
a political pastorela requires more ingenuity but
tends to be more successful. The social reality of
a specific place (a country, province, town) has to
be recreated and the actions of its government and
population observed in detail. The challenge is the
transcribing of this reality in a funny or sarcastic
fashion into the plot of the pastorela and making
each spectator stop and think about the behaviour.
The topic can also relate - always in a joking but
instructive manner, of course - to the family in
terms of responsibility, love for children, the
tiring nature of a job, or the daily support members
give each other. Even subjects like drug trafficking
have served as an inspiration to keep the pastorelas
current and to deliver a moving, evangelizing
message, just as the ancient Mexicans did.
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