Based on an early 20th century poem by Juan Ramon Jimenez, Platero Y Yo tells the story of an old poet and his faithful silver donkey, and the life that they lead in the town of Moguer. The performance is comprised of the poet’s stories that are acted out on a revolving table by puppeteer Nino Namitcheishvili.
The production’s staging is absolutely superb. There is a plethora of handmade scenery that is interchanged for the different scenes; they are all both beautifully detailed and to scale for the real star of the show, Platero. The donkey is operated by Namitcheishvili with superb skill that conveys emotion beautifully through the puppet. Coupled with the poignant narration of Mike Maran, the audience is instantly transferred to the warm Andalucían climes of Moguer. Add into this mix the excellent Spanish guitar music of Craig Ogden and this feast for the senses is truly complete. A scene that was especially striking was where Marran,describing how roses fall on a square in Mogeur, proceeded to cover the table-set in strikingly red petals; a moment of pure beauty!
Platero Y Yo is a show that appeals to all ages: to children through the excellent puppetry that easily portrays the close relationship between a man and his donkey; to adults through the brilliant narrative of Jimenez that paints a vivid picture of life in southern Spain at the turn of the century.
