Life is a Dream: An Intercultural and Feminist Adaptation of Calderón de la Barca’s Classic

Life is a Dream is a contemporary, intercultural adaptation of Calderón de la Barca’s classic Spanish play La vida es sueño. It was created by Ana Cris, Mónica de la Fuente, Anurupa Roy, and Kapila Venu under the direction of Ignacio García.

This version reimagines the story from a feminist perspective through the voices of four women, exploring themes of birth, identity, and freedom. The play focuses on the tragedy of Sigismund’s birth and his mother Clorilene’s death, questioning how compassion, motherhood, and fate shape human destiny.

Blending Spanish and Indian traditions, the production integrates classical Indian dance, physical theatre, puppetry, and multiple languages—including Malayalam, Hindi, and Spanish. It reflects on violence and inequality in a male-dominated world while celebrating dreams, creation, and rebellion.

Director

Ignacio García is a Spanish stage director and graduate of the Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático (RESAD) in Madrid. Known for his expertise in Spain’s Golden Age theatre, his honors include the José Luis Alonso Award for Young Directors. He has held roles such as Assistant Artistic Director of the Teatro Español in Madrid, Artistic Coordinator of Mexico City’s Saludarte Programme, and director of the Almagro Classical Theatre Festival.

Director’s Note

According to the director, Life Is A Dream addresses identity, freedom, barbarism, and violence against women within a male-dominated universe, offering an opportunity to rebel. The production crosses paths between Spain and India, combining the spirituality, worldviews, dreams, destinies, incarnations, and biases of both cultures.

The Group

The Monica De La Fuente Company was founded in 2001 by Mónica de la Fuente in Valladolid, Spain. Mónica de la Fuente serves as the artistic director, actress, dancer, choreographer, and specialist in Indian performing arts. She is also the artistic director of LAB-INDIA, the Laboratory for Performing Arts at Casa de la India. In 2021, she received the ICCR Distinguished Alumni Award for her artistic career and contribution to India-Spain cultural dialogue.