Скачать или смотреть VENEZUELA: PEOPLE FLOCKING TO SEE POLITICAL EVENTS PLAY

(20 Aug 1999) Spanish/Nat

Theatre-goers in Venezuela are flocking to see a show that satirizes President Hugo Chavez.

The play, called 'The Reconstitution', changes according to the days political events.

The show, which has received the blessing of Chavez himself, is playing to full houses every night.

Audiences flock to a 7-thousand seat arena in central Caracas.

It is another full house for one of the most successful theatre events in recent Venezuelan history.

But it's not Shakespeare that is drawing the crowds, it is satire.

'The Reconstitution' is a humorous sketch of Venezuelan political life.

The star of the show is President Hugo Chavez.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"This play is very much up to date and does not depend on a script being completed. The reality is the script."
SUPER CAPTION: Laureano Marquez, Comedian

The show's name is inspired by the countries Constitutional Assembly.

The Assembly is charged with changing the country's constitution, a promise which formed the backbone of Chavez's presidential campaign.

One of the most popular scenes in the show is a meeting between Hugo Chavez and former President Rafael Caldera.

Sitting side by side, both politicians have heated arguments about each others political styles.

The former paratrooper who took office in February on a wildly popular anti-corruption, anti-establishment platform, is said to have given the show his blessing.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We work with total freedom. Even Chavez's ministers have come to see it and have enjoyed it very much. The President was going to come. He has not had a chance yet, but he will probably come some time."
SUPER CAPTION: Laureano Marquez, Comedian

And with the political climate in Venezuela changing daily, inspiration for the show's creators will not dry up.

The country's Assembly, which is controlled by supporters of Chavez,
declared a judicial emergency on Thursday.

It has given itself sweeping new powers to overhaul the country's courts.

Under the measure, nearly half of Venezuela's 4.7-thousand judges could be fired or suspended because of pending allegations of corruption or other irregularities.

It is the latest move in Chavez's radical reform programme that has outraged opponents and alarmed investors in the impoverished South American country of 23 (m) million people.

But for the theatre-goers, it all helps to make up a good show.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"First I believe we are living in a very democratic country. The play holds my attention. However, I think it is a very critical play. But it makes me think that in Venezuela it is possible to do many good things."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, Audience member

With the show set to continue to sell out for the foreseeable future, no closing date has been set.

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