Here is a version of the Carmen plot forwarded to me by a friend. I got a
good chuckle out of it, and thought some of you might do the same if you
hadn't seen it before. Enjoy!
Sue Neimoyer
University of Washington
>
>>> - - - - -
>>> A Smoke-Free Carmen
>>> by Denis Dutton
>>
>>> Last year Auckland Opera received complaints when its advertising
>>> posters for Bizet's Carmen showed offensive cleavage. In deciding to
>>> withdraw the posters, the general manager of Auckland Opera sensibly
>>> explained, "It behoved us to find a more imaginative way to sell our
>>> product than just to resort to blatant sexist imagery." In the new ads
>>> Carmen had a completely covered chest.
>>>
>>> Auckland Opera has taken a step in the right direction of providing a
>>> more wholesome, nonsexist Carmen. It is regrettable, however, that the
>>> recent Canterbury Opera Carmen continued to promote inappropriate role
>>> models and behavioural messages regarding gender relations, animal
>>> rights issues and tobacco consumption. Admittedly, some of these
>>> problems are incorrectly dealt with in Prosper Merimee's original
>>> story. Yet a few minor changes would enable audiences to enjoy the
>>> beautiful music of the opera without being exposed to offensive and
>>> outdated stereotypes. Herewith, a Carmen for our time:
>>>
>>> The first scene takes place in a square in Seville. Young factory
>>> workers spill into the street for their morning break of fresh fruit.
>>> One of them, the dark Gypsy Carmen, sings a lovely habanera, reminding
>>> us that love occurs between all genders, races and body types. Before
>>> returning to the factory, Carmen throws a rose to the Basque soldier,
>>> Don Jose. A fight breaks out between two of the young persons in the
>>> factory, and while trying to instruct them on the futility of
>>> violence, Carmen is arrested. Don Jose is ordered to guard her, but
>>> she convinces him to allow her to escape, explaining that they are all
>>> victims of patriarchal oppression.
>>>
>>> The second act opens in the smoke-free environment of a vegetarian
>>> restaurant. Carmen and ethnically-diverse friends are enjoying
>>> whole-meal buns when they are interrupted by the wicked Escamillo, a
>>> rich and famous bullfighter. Escamillo sings an aria in praise of
>>> wine, cigars, thick steaks and women. This disgusts the young people,
>>> although Carmen is strangely attracted to the bullfighter. Don Jose
>>> arrives and, alone at last, he and Carmen vow to live together. They
>>> will respect the importance of protected sex and acknowledge each
>>> other's unique cultural identity. Don Jose will do the ironing.
>>>
>>> The third act opens in a wild place in the mountains. Carmen, Don Jose
>>> and other members of the Animal Liberation Collective are plotting to
>>> end the exploitation of bulls. Don Jose is enraged when Carmen nobly
>>> volunteers to seduce Escamillo, so exhausting him that he will be
>>> unable effectively to fight in the bullring. Carmen patiently explains
>>> that the lives of many bulls, and the contentedness of cows, is at
>>> stake. Escamillo enters and begins a duel with Don Jose, but the
>>> Collective intervenes, insisting that the two men find viable
>>> nonviolent means to settle their dispute. The jealous Don Jose must
>>> seek anger-management counselling.
>>>
>>> The final scene returns to Seville. Escamillo's colourful procession
>>> enters the bullring. A dishevelled Don Jose confronts Carmen. He is
>>> suffering from low self-esteem. Counselling has only made his anger
>>> worse, recovering repressed childhood memories of satanic rituals,
>>> where he was forced to drink blood, eat babies, and smoke cheap,
>>> unfiltered cigarettes. Acknowledging his trauma, Carmen insists he
>>> begin the healing process by getting a bath and a shave. The two
>>> lovers embrace and detail plans to offer workshops in cultural
>>> identity and empowerment. The bull wins.
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> ----------
>>> Copyright Denis Dutton. Dr. Dutton teaches the philosophy of art at
>>> the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.
>>> d.dutton@fina.canterbury.ac.nz
>>>
>>> --
>>> David W. Kleeman, Executive Director
>>> American Center for Children's Television
>>> 1400 East Touhy Avenue, Suite 260
>>> Des Plaines, IL 60018
>>> 847-390-6499 (phone) / 847-390-9435 (fax)
>>> dkleeman@mcs.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>