The Engine House Theater in Madrid, New Mexico

The Engine House Theater

On Memorial Day weekend in the summer of 1983, the renovation of the locomotive repair building in the Old Coal Mine Museum was completed and the rebirth of Melodrama in the Ortiz Mountains christened the newly constructed stage. Every summer since that day the tradition of classic, victorian, and western melodramas have been presented in Madrid, New Mexico every weekend throughout the summer entertaining audiences of all ages. This may well be the only theater in the world with a full-sized steam engine nosing onto stage (and is often used to "run over" the Hero or Heroine tied to the railroad tracks)!

MADRID MELODRAMA was created to preserve a very important piece of theater history by presenting classic style performances of VIRTURE vs. VILLAINY. Melodrama was first developed in the 1700's in France - was perfected in England, and came to the United States in the early 1800's where it received instant popularity on "showboats" along the Mississippi and in the mining towns of the Old West as "traveling shows" developed. The action was big enough and the story line simple enough (Good vs. Evil and Virtue triumphant) as to be understood by all and audience participation was allowed (sometimes to the detriment of the show and costumes). The underscoring of the action with piano accompaniment became such a popular way of presenting a production that it even carried into the silent movie era (where it was expanded upon to include organs and even full orchestras) and on to today's favorite style of melodrama - The SOAPS! Just as Jazz is an American original, MELODRAMA is grassroots theatre which became a direct reflection of American society and national character.

Done in the style that melodrama was designed to be presented, the MADRID MELODRAMA resists the slap-stick style performances often seen from other groups and relies on the cliches and "larger-than-life" characters written into the script to carry the humor throughout the show and, of course, audience participation is still allowed. You get to CHEER the Hero, SIGH for the Heroine, BOO! HISS! and throw marshmallows at the Villain! Wonderful FAMILY entertainment that shows - as in the "lottery of life" - everything is possible; the chance is always there - there is hope for all.

The Engine House Theatre
NM State Highway 14 on the Turquoise Trail
Madrid, NM 87010
Phone (505) 438-3780
www.turquoisetrail.org/enginehousetheatre/