| Theatre
‘La Comèdia de Sant Antoni’

139 years have passed since the first and only representation was produced in Manacor. Now, directed by Antoni Rossello and organized by the Patronat de Sant Antoni, this play in verse returns to the stage, which according to experts might have been the origin of a long time tradition in this city, the ball dels dimonis (dance of the demons).

Joan Bartomeu Bosch i Sureda (1823-1898) from Manacor is the author of the original text of La Comèdia de Sant Antoni  (The Comedy of St Anthony), which narrates the temptations suffered by the demons when he was in the desert. Represented in 1874, appearing for the first time Sant Antoni, the dimoni gros (large demon) and two petits dimonis (little demons)

It is believed that from that date onwards the ball dels dimonis became generalized in Manacor as it is known today. In Fact, the oldest documented reference on colla dimonis is from1883, nine years after its staging.

Cast: Joan Gelabert (Sant Antoni), Marc Morales (Lucifer - dimoni gros), Joan Antoni Oliver (Asmodeu - dimoni petit), Ignasi Galmés (Leviathan - dimoni petit), Catalina Riera (Mè and Queen), Guillem Sansó Cavall (Captain , Sant Pau and hermit), Pere Sansó (dog, sick and hermit), Joana Vives (cockerel, sick and Angel).

Also involved musicians: Neus Nadal (violin and vocals), Antònia Bassa (flute) and Gràcia Puig (clarinet).