Translation and publication of spanish theatre in Portugal

the cases of Tirso de Molina and Juan Mayorga

Abstract

Considering the importance of theatre in the Spanish cultural context, in what concerns both the dramatic heritage of the “Siglo de Oro” and the relevant contemporary theatrical production, it is now appropriate to look at how, and to what an extent, translation has contributed to a broader knowledge of Spanish theatre in Portugal. This paper deals with the translation of Spanish theatre published in volume, more specifically two book series: “Civilização Teatro”, published in the 1960s, and “Livrinhos de Teatro”, in publication since 2003. After the description of both book series, the analysis focuses on two volumes: the translation of the “comedias” O sedutor de Sevilha e o convidado de pedra, O amor médico and O tímido no palácio, by Tirso de Molina (1967), and the translation of the plays O Crítico, Reiquiavique, and O Cartógrafo, by Juan Mayorga (2018). One argues that, in the context of Iberian literary and cultural inter-relations, these cases of Portuguese translation of Spanish theatre show some true efforts to make Spanish theatre production known and available to Portuguese readers. However, these efforts were guided by different principles and therefore echo their different historical contexts.