The Lady from the Sea in Buenos Aires: from Ibsen to Soffici (1954), from Soffici to Lerman (2016)

De Ibsen a Soffici (1954), de Soffici a Lerman (2016)

Abstract

With the staging of La dama de mar (Lo que atrae y espanta al mismo tiempo) (2016), Diego Lerman proposed a reinterpretation of the drama Fruen fra havet (1888), by Henrik Ibsen, and the argentinian film La dama del mar (1954), directed by Mario Soffici. In this article, we will study the two main procedures that organize the play's intermediate plot. Firstly, the technical and poetic problematization of the different media at play (literature, film and theatre) and, in second place, the implementation of an expressive and media memory of the play in Buenos Aires. We believe, through these two operations, a critical view is elaborated of the cultural tensions –in general– and theatrical tensions –in particular– involved in the importation of Norwegian drama into the Argentine production system.