NO ONE WRITES TO THE COLONEL

In June 2025, the XVII Chekhov International Theatre Festival hosted performances of No one Writes to the Colonel, staged by the Teatro Colón / Centro Nacional de las Artes and the Fabrica de teatro popular (Colombia). It was directed by Jorge Ali Triana, a name familiar to fans of Márquez: he was a close friend of the writer and they worked together on-stage adaptations of Márquez’s works. The Moscow performances coincided with the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Colombia. The production is currently preparing for a tour in Vladivostok.

The show, an adaptation of the eponymous book of Gabriel Garcia Marquez (the writer’s grandfather, a civil war veteran, was the prototype of the main character), tells the story of an old Colonel who is awaiting his retirement pension for 15 years, yet no official letters arrive. The plot centers on his life in poverty with his ailing wife, the memory of his deceased son, and the fighting rooster left by his son, which becomes a symbol of hope and dignity for the hero. The action is structured by the director as a series of colonel’s dialogues – with his wife and with the rooster – accompanied by live music.

The production's unique feature is a live rooster present on stage in one of the key roles. For the performances in Vladivostok, a new "entry" will be needed: a feathered performer from Primorye will take the stage alongside the renowned Colombian actor German Jaramillo. Critics have praised the organic acting, devoid of hysterics, of the Latin American actors – Jaramillo himself and Patricia Tamayo Salazar – who captivate audience with their sincerity and simplicity.