Argüelles, Hugo (1932–2003)

Hugo Argüelles (b. 2 January 1932, d. 24 December 2003), Mexican playwright. Born in Veracruz, Argüelles studied at the School of Dramatic Arts of the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (INBA) in Mexico City, where he later taught. He also founded the School of Fine Arts in Puebla. He won, among others, the Premio Nacional de Teatro in 1958 for his play Los cuervos están de luto (1958; The Crows Are in Mourning) and the Juan Ruiz de Alarcón award in 1961 for Los prodigiosos (1956; The Prodigies). His plays are characterized by black humor and a tone of mockery, capturing the essence of the Mexican spirit. Argüelles enjoys broad recognition for his extensive production of theatrical works, some of which he has successfully directed for television. Other major plays are La dama de la luna roja (1970; The Lady of the Red Moon), El gran inquisidor (1973; The Grand Inquisitor), El cocodrilo solitario del panteón rococó (1985; The Solitary Crocodile of Rococó Pantheon), and Los gallos salvajes (1986; The Wild Roosters).

See alsoTheater .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Heriberto García Rivas, Historia de la literatura mexicana, vol. 4 (1974), pp. 478-479.

Emilio García Riera, Historia documental del cine mexicano, vols. 8 and 9 (1978), pp. 81-83, 233-235.

Mirta Barrea-Marlys, "Hugo Argüelles," in Dictionary of Mexican Literature, edited by Eladio Cortés (1992).

Additional Bibliography

Alcaraz, José Antonio. Fanfarrias para la dramaturgia de Hugo Arguüelles. México: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coordinación de Difusión Cultural, Dirección de Literatura, 2002.

Meyer, Juan. La travesía mágica de Hugo Argüelles: Cuarenta años de dramaturgo. México, D.F.: Departamento del Distrito Federal, 1997.

                                Jeanne C. Wallace