With medieval fantasy, a theater company invites children to philosophize

▲ In this production, with the Teatro Luna de Papel company and directed by Sandra Rosales, the main stage structure is based on the large-scale reproduction of a pop-up book. Photo by Áxel Hernández

Angel Vargas

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, July 14, 2025, p. 5

The fantasy world of the Middle Ages—with its castles, dragons, and sorcerers—serves as the setting for Marcel de Petrasant's The Curious Quest , which raises ontological reflections such as: What is the meaning of our actions? Why or for what purpose do we do what we do? What is happiness and how can we achieve it?

Based on an unpublished story by Mexican author Antonio Malpica, this play, aimed at children and general audiences, will run for 16 performances at the Foro La Gruta of the Centro Cultural Helénico, beginning August 2 and ending September 21.

The production, by the Teatro Luna de Papel company and directed by Sandra Rosales, uses the technique of paper theater—all the elements on stage are made of paper—with the aim of paying homage to books, highlighting their literary, playful, and poetic nature, as well as their imaginative value.

The large-scale reproduction of a pop-up book (three-dimensional) is the main scenographic structure in which Marcel, a young man from the Middle Ages, questions the meaning of life, specifically, where or in what happiness lies.

Determined to find answers, as the pages of this peculiar volume unfold, the protagonist embarks on a journey in search of the mysterious Grumper, who, he believes, will be able to reveal the secrets he longs to discover.

It's a journey through worlds filled with fantastical beings where you can fly on a dragon, confront a sorcerer, or chat with a giant frog.

A specialist in performing arts projects for young audiences since 2012, Sandra Rosales believes that reflecting on the meaning of life is an inherent concern or question for human beings, which is why she believes it is appropriate to address it from a very early age.

His main interest, he explains in an interview, is for children to dare to question their actions, since, he says, they often act thoughtlessly.

I'm interested in highlighting this possibility because sometimes we do things automatically, without knowing why, or we feel deeply dissatisfied and try at all costs to overcome it. We're all in that search for something that fulfills our lives or makes us feel better.

He rejects the idea that this production—premiered in 2024 through the 2022-2025 National System of Art Creators Program—has educational purposes: It doesn't say what happiness is or where to find it; it aims to open one up to questioning oneself. Along the way, everyone will find their own answers, as well as many entertaining characters and events .

The actress also emphasizes that this is a reflection on the importance of being in the present and not futuring or settling into the past: It's about accepting what there is, what we experience in the moment, and realizing that it's a privilege we sometimes don't appreciate. That's the point of the play: how to be in the moment and how each person finds happiness in their own way .

He emphasizes that in these times when happiness has been sought to be made into a commodity, it is worth asking whether it is true that happiness is found in success, wealth, fame, beauty, having likes or many followers on social media, or if it is a mirage.

The play gives children the opportunity to ask themselves this question. Why not talk about this topic with them, so they can also have a fun conversation with their parents? It's not a philosophy class, obviously, but a very playful topic to be enjoyed.

With a cast featuring actors Norma Márquez and Enrique Marín, The Curious Search for Marcel de Petrasant will be presented at the venue at 1500 Revolución Avenue, Guadalupe Inn neighborhood, on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Tickets: 205 pesos.