Surreal illustration of suspended suits in a theater, symbolizing memory and identity.

Beyond the Stage: How "The Absent One" Reshapes Memory and Identity

Samir D’Costa in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore the adaptation of Xavier Villaurrutia's work and its impact on contemporary audiences. Discover how theater redefines memory and gives voice to overlooked narratives."

In the realm of theatrical adaptation, some works transcend mere storytelling, becoming profound explorations of memory, identity, and cultural rediscovery. Stefano Muneroni's adaptation of Xavier Villaurrutia's "El ausente" stands as a compelling example. Staged during the 2013 StageLAB Festival, this play is not just a revival but a reimagining of Villaurrutia's themes for a contemporary audience.

Xavier Villaurrutia, a significant Mexican writer, is not widely recognized in North America. Muneroni’s adaptation seeks to change this, offering a platform to remember and celebrate Villaurrutia's contributions. By translating and adapting "El ausente," Muneroni brings Villaurrutia's voice to new ears, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.

The adaptation incorporates elements from Villaurrutia's poem "Nocturnos de los Ángeles," using the image of suspended suits to represent gay angels. This creative choice underscores the play's themes of identity and representation, providing a visual metaphor for the hidden and often silenced voices within society. The production creates a public forum to address and explore these themes.

Reviving Silenced Voices: How Theater Addresses Homoeroticism

Surreal illustration of suspended suits in a theater, symbolizing memory and identity.

One of the most significant aspects of Muneroni's adaptation is its approach to the homoerotic undertones in Villaurrutia's work. By giving voice to what was once silent, the play opens up new avenues for critical engagement with Villaurrutia's oeuvre. This bold move not only honors the original text but also invites contemporary audiences to reflect on the evolution of societal attitudes towards homoeroticism.

The play challenges the notion of memory as a passive retrieval of the past. Instead, it presents memory as an active process of interpretation and reconfiguration. Muneroni’s adaptation does not merely seek to replicate Villaurrutia’s original work; it reimagines it in the light of present-day concerns and perspectives.

Memory as Interpretation: The adaptation emphasizes that memory is not a static recall but an active interpretation of the past.
Contemporary Relevance: By reimagining Villaurrutia's themes, the play addresses contemporary issues and resonates with modern audiences.
Giving Voice to Silences: The production confronts the silences surrounding homoeroticism, providing a platform for open dialogue.

Muneroni’s work encourages audiences to reconsider how we engage with historical texts and cultural figures. By adapting Villaurrutia for a contemporary audience, the play sparks a renewed interest in his writings and invites further exploration of his themes. This approach highlights the enduring relevance of Villaurrutia’s work and its capacity to speak to new generations.

The Enduring Legacy of "The Absent One"

Stefano Muneroni's adaptation of "The Absent One" serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of theater. By bringing Xavier Villaurrutia's work to a contemporary audience, the play not only revives a forgotten voice but also challenges conventional understandings of memory and identity. As audiences engage with this reimagined narrative, they are invited to reflect on the complexities of representation, the importance of cultural rediscovery, and the enduring power of theater to spark meaningful dialogue.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.21992/t9803w, Alternate LINK

Title: The Absent One

Journal: TranscUlturAl: A Journal of Translation and Cultural Studies

Publisher: University of Alberta Libraries

Authors: Stefano Muneroni

Published: 2016-07-17

Everything You Need To Know

Who was Xavier Villaurrutia, and why is Stefano Muneroni's adaptation of "El ausente" significant?

Xavier Villaurrutia was a significant Mexican writer, though not widely recognized in North America. Stefano Muneroni's adaptation of "El ausente" is significant because it seeks to revive Villaurrutia's work and introduce it to a contemporary audience, fostering a dialogue between the past and present. The adaptation brings Villaurrutia's voice to new ears, creating a platform to remember and celebrate Villaurrutia's contributions.

In what ways does Stefano Muneroni's adaptation of "El ausente" challenge conventional understandings of memory?

Stefano Muneroni's adaptation of "El ausente" challenges the notion of memory as a passive retrieval of the past. Instead, it presents memory as an active process of interpretation and reconfiguration. The adaptation doesn't merely replicate Xavier Villaurrutia’s original work; it reimagines it in the light of present-day concerns and perspectives, emphasizing that memory is not a static recall but an active interpretation of the past.

How does the play "El ausente" address homoeroticism, and why is this significant?

The play "El ausente" addresses homoeroticism by giving voice to what was once silent in Xavier Villaurrutia's work. This approach opens up new avenues for critical engagement and invites contemporary audiences to reflect on societal attitudes towards homoeroticism. The incorporation of elements from Villaurrutia's poem "Nocturnos de los Ángeles," such as the image of suspended suits representing gay angels, underscores themes of identity and representation, providing a visual metaphor for hidden and often silenced voices within society.

How does Stefano Muneroni incorporate elements from Xavier Villaurrutia's other works into "El ausente," and what is the effect?

Stefano Muneroni incorporates elements from Xavier Villaurrutia's poem "Nocturnos de los Ángeles" into "El ausente," using the image of suspended suits to represent gay angels. This creative choice underscores the play's themes of identity and representation, providing a visual metaphor for the hidden and often silenced voices within society. This interweaving enriches the play's thematic depth and offers a more comprehensive view of Villaurrutia's artistic vision. This is designed to enhance the play’s contemporary relevance and resonate with modern audiences.

What implications does adapting works like "El ausente" have on cultural rediscovery and the engagement with historical texts?

Adapting works like "El ausente" encourages audiences to reconsider how they engage with historical texts and cultural figures. By adapting Xavier Villaurrutia for a contemporary audience, the play sparks a renewed interest in his writings and invites further exploration of his themes. This approach highlights the enduring relevance of Villaurrutia’s work and its capacity to speak to new generations, fostering cultural rediscovery and challenging conventional understandings of memory and identity. Stefano Muneroni's adaptation shows the transformative potential of theater to spark meaningful dialogue.