Ghanaian Actress and Media Personality, Naa Ashorkor showcased her incredible talent on the international stage, delivering a mesmerising performance in the Spanish monologue ‘5 Hours with Mario.’ Held at the Centro Cultural Casa de Vacas in Madrid on September 11, the production created by Globe Productions received rave reviews.
Naa Ashorkor’s portrayal of the conflicted widow Maria del Carmen earned her widespread praise from Spanish theatregoers. Directed by Latiff Abubakar, Naa Ashorkor tackled the emotionally charged monologue with grace and power, breathing new life into the complex
narrative originally penned by renowned Spanish author Miguel Delibes.
The performance marked a monumental moment for the actress and African theatre on the global stage. Cinco horas con Mario (Five Hours with Mario), first published in 1966, is one of Delibes’ most significant works. The novel, which reflects the sociopolitical tensions of post-Franco Spain, offers a haunting and reflective narrative.
It tells the story of Maria del Carmen, a widow who spends the night beside the body of her late husband, Mario, recounting their life together while airing out her grievances.
Through her monologue, Maria reveals her frustrations with Mario’s idealism, their lacklustre marriage, and the shifting tides of Spain’s cultural landscape.
The text serves as both a deeply personal reflection and a commentary on the broader state of Spanish society. The complexity of the role required an actress who could deftly
navigate the nuances of the narrative, and Naa Ashorkor did just that.
