Laughing, Spanish Style: Moreto and Tirso de Molina in the Third Reich

In quantitative terms, the role of Spanish drama of the seventeenth century in the repertory of German theatres from 1933 until 1944 is important for two reasons: (1) it amounted to almost one per cent of all productions performed; (2) this proportion was approximately double that of the preceding period (1929–1933). While political alliances can explain much of this increased presence, the choice of plays is significant. This chapter explores the reception of productions of Spanish comedy by concentrating on El desdén con el desdén/Donna Diana by Agustín Moreto (1618–1669) and Don Gil de las calzas verdes/Don Gil von den grünen Hosen by Tirso de Molina (1583–1648). By examining the translations performed, press reviews, photographic material, and memoirs, the study outlines how these plays remained Spanish yet were also an integral part of the history of German theatre. Did Nazi ideologues transform the dramaturgical essence of the plays or merely give them an official gloss? How did the plays contribute to an internationalist façade for the Third Reich? And, given that comedy was the predominant genre within theatre of the period, what was the exact nature of this, ostensibly foreign, humour?