THEATRE FOR EARLY YEARS IN SPAIN

Abstract

The present paper aims to offer a first approach to the theater for the early years (also known as “theatre for babies”) developed in Spain since the beginning of the 21st century. Due to the scarce research and publications on the subject at the national level, conclusions will be drawn through a threefold path. First, the review of theoretical literature on foreign theatre for early childhood, mainly written by English and French authors; secondly, we interviewed the main Spanish companies that have made scenic proposals for these audiences; and finally, our inquiry was completed by the viewing and analysis of some of their plays. Starting with a brief history of the implementation of this type of theatre in Spain, the resulting characterization of Spanish theatre for early years is organised in the following parameters: experimentation, proximity, poeticity, non-verbal language, condensation and thematic specificity. This characterization, although simplifying, is essential to promote future research on an increasing reality in Spain and on the many benefits for the aesthetic, cognitive and integral development of early childhood.