A Guide to the Play
Written and compiled by Ashley Seidler
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Contents
Page 3 – How to Use This Guide
Page 4 – Meet the Artistic Team
Page 5 – Play Synopsis & Guide
Page 8 – Questions for Discussion
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How to Use This Guide
Welcome to the Globe Theatre!
We are glad you are able to join us for the production of Man of La Mancha – we hope this
guide will enhance your experience, inspire thought-provoking discussion and increase your
understanding of the production. Throughout the guide, we will introduce you to the crew and
artistic team, provide background information on the production, a summary of each act and
more. There will also be discussion questions and links you can use for further research.
Teachers, there will be a section of discussion questions at the end of the guide. You may
choose to prepare your students prior to the production by giving them the questions to
consider. Conversely, you can use the questions for a class discussion after your students have
seen the play.
Please keep in mind that the content in this guide reveals key plot points and character
information you may wish to experience during the live production. We would suggest reading
the play guide after seeing the production, if you wish to avoid any potential spoilers.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email Ashley Seidler at
ashleys@globetheatrelive.com
Enjoy the show!
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Meet the Artistic Team
Max Reimer | Director
The Last Resort and Billy Bishop Goes to War are among the many directorial credits Max has to
his name. For his invaluable contribution to the arts in Canada, Max has won the Jessie
Richardson Award, Lieutenant Governors Award, Hamilton Tourism Ambassador Award and the
John Hobday Award.
Bonnie Deakin | Costume Designer
Bonnie has worked in theatres throughout Canada and made her debut at the Globe Theatre
last season as the costume designer for The Drowsy Chaperone. Bonnie is the recipient of three
Tyrone Guthrie awards including the Ann Selby Award for Artists.
Wendy Greenwood | Lighting Designer
Wendy worked on several productions at Globe Theatre, including The Wizard of Oz, Robin
Hood, Tuesdays With Morrie and The Glass Menagerie. She also has many credits in theatres
throughout North America.
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Play Guide and Synopsis
We are in Seville, Spain at the end of the sixteenth century. Miguel de Cervantes and his manservant
find themselves in prison, arrested by the Spanish Inquisition for attempting to foreclose a church. The
men’s belongings are confiscated, but they manage to hang on to a manuscript. Cervantes demands a
trial where he will plead his innocence by acting out a play. The Governor indulges him and allows him
to begin. Cervantes is transformed into Don Quixote and the manservant becomes Sancho.
Man of La Mancha/ ”I, Don Quixote”
Don Quixote introduces himself and Sancho to the prisoners through song. Don Quixote warns Sancho
of The Great Enchanter. The men stumble across a “monstrous” giant – which Sancho insists is actually
a windmill. Don Quixote ignores his servant’s observation and charges off. Don Quixote crawls back
onto stage, having been defeated. He curses The Great Enchanter for changing the giant into a windmill
at the last moment. Don Quixote explains that he has been tricked because he has not officially been
dubbed a knight. He decides that they need to lord, king or a duke. He sees a castle in the distance.
Sancho sees an inn. Don Quixote takes the men closer so that Sancho can see that the inn is actually a
castle.
Cervantes makes note that to “the untrained eye one thing may seem to be another”. He begins picking
out prisoners to join the play – an innkeeper, his wife, rough men, etc.
It’s all the Same
At the inn Aldonza, a server and part-time prostitute, is serving the muleteers. They all take turns
propositioning her to which she responds with disinterest and mild annoyance. Some of the men offer
her money; she refuses and insists she only gives what she chooses to.
Don Quixote and Sancho enter, Quixote demanding to see the lord of the castle and expressing his
displeasure at the lack of dwarves to announce their arrival. The innkeeper is annoyed.
Dulcinea
Don Quixote spots Aldonza and is immediately taken. He begins to serenade her. The muleteers join
the song and Aldonza is annoyed.
The Duke stops the play. He questions Cervantes’ choice of defence, but the Governor lets the man
continue.
I’m Only Thinking of Him
Don Quixote’s niece, Antonia is upset that her uncle has gone mad. Dr. Carrasco, the girl’s fiancé, is
concerned that embarrassment will follow when people learn that he has married into a family with a
madman. Padre attempts to convince him that the uncle has only experienced “gentle delusions”, but
the doctor is convinced that these delusions have resulted in either violent episodes or an arrest. The
two men decide to try and find the delusional man.
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I Really Like Him
Sancho approaches Aldonza to give her a letter from Don Quixote. The knight expresses his fondness for
the woman and requests a token. Aldonza questions why Sancho follows the delusional man. Sancho
breaks into song, explaining that his great fondness for the man is unexplainable.
Little Bird
The Muleteers are once again propositioning Aldonza. One of the men, Pedro, steals the letter from
Don Quixote. The men mock her and she leaves angrily, insisting that the knight has not stolen her
heart.
Barber’s Song
Padre and the Doctor arrive at the inn. They attempt to talk some sense into “Senor” Quixote, but it is
of no use. They soon discover there is a woman. A barber enters, singing, and interrupts their
conversation. Don Quixote demands that the Barber hand over his basin – believing it to be the Golden
Helmet.
Golden Helmet of Mambrino
Don Quixote explains that this helmet, that had been lost, will be what cinches his knighthood. Quixote
requests that the innkeeper allow him to hold a vigil so that he can finally be dubbed a knight. The
Doctor and Padre see firsthand just how mad Don Quixote really is.
To Each His Dulcinea
Padre is not convinced that Don Quixote should be cured. He is touched by the man’s love for Dulcinea.
The Quest/ The Impossible Dream
Aldonza rejects Don Quixote’s advances and demands to know what he wants from her. Quixote
explains that he wants to serve her, “hold her in [his] heart and to follow the quest. Aldonza inquires
about the quest and Don Quixote begins to sing. He sings to her of righting wrongs, loving pure and
reaching the impossible. Aldonza is taken by his idealism, she begs Quixote to see her as she really is.
Pedro enters, angry that she has kept him waiting. He slaps her and Don Quixote prepares to defend
her. The Muleteers enter, prepared to fight. Sancho, Aldonza and Quixote fight the men off. The
Dubbing
The Innkeeper, upset over the brawl, asks the Don Quixote and Sancho to leave. They agree to leave,
but only after they hold the vigil. The Innkeeper performs the ceremony.
Don Quixote asks Aldonza to attend to the muleteers’ wounds. As she tries to help the men they beat
and ravage her.
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Moorish Dance
A young Moorish girl dances for Don Quixote. The Moors tell him a tale of a trapped noble and their
quest to raise money for his ransom. The group steals all of unsuspecting Quixote’s belongings.
Aldonza
Don Quixote sees Aldonza in her battered state. He demands to who he must punish for her suffering,
but Aldonza puts the blame on him. She rejects his advances, insisting that she is not his lady – or a lady
of any sort.
The Knight of the Mirrors
A knight enters and asks for Don Quixote. Upon meeting Quixote, the knight laughs, calling him an
imposter. Don Quixote becomes very angry and prepares to fight. The knight, who is actually the
doctor in disguise, thrusts several mirrors in Quixote’s face. Quixote, seeing his reflection, collapses to
his knees and begins to weep.
The Captain tells Cervantes to prepare to be summoned by the judge of the inquisition. The governor
insists that the prisoners are granted more time to finish their story.
A little Gossip
The Doctor scolds Sancho for trying to inspire Don Quixote to take up the quest once again. Padre
believes Quixote to be well. The “cured” man asks to make his will, leaving the majority of his estate to
Antonia. Aldonza enters, but Don Quixote no longer recognizes her. She begins to sing “Dulcinea” and
this refreshes the man’s memory and he is once again Don Quixote. He begins to sing, but suddenly
crumples to the floor. His friends believe him to be dead.
The Captain enters at the head of the Inquisition. They summon Cervantes and the manservant. The
Governor tells Cervantes that Don Quixote is likely the brother of Don Miguel. Cervantes smiles at the
news and the prisoners rally behind him to sing the impossible dream.
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Questions for Discussion
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Why does Padre sympathize with Don Quixote?
What are the reasons for Cervantes staging the play? Does his plan work?
What is the Spanish Inquisition? What function did it serve? Is it still in existence?
Is Don Quixote mentally ill? Does his family have reason to worry?
Why does the Knight of the Mirrors succeed in showing Don Quixote reality?