Show aimed at children aged 6 and over and family audiences
THE AUTHOR
Davide Cali
Liestal, Switzerland, 1972
He is recognized as one of Europe's most innovative and acclaimed children's authors. He began his writing career in 2004 and has since published more than twenty titles. His book The Thread of Life, illustrated by Serge Bloch, won the Baobab Prize at the Montreuil Book Fair in 2005. His work Piano Piano received a Special Mention at the Bologna International Book Fair in 2006. Libros del Zorro Rojo published his endearing Malena Ballena in 2010, and since then, he has left no one of his young readers indifferent.
SYNOPSIS
Malena Ballena is a slightly chubby girl who is very good at swimming, but she doesn't like it because when she jumps in the pool she makes a lot of splashes and the rest of her classmates make fun of her. She receives advice that encourages her to think about being whatever she wants to be. From this moment on, and by following this advice, she will discover that she has the ability to do very well whatever she sets her mind to, thus gaining self-confidence and finally enjoying jumping in the pool with her friends.
Malena is a clear example of overcoming challenges. They will learn that growing up is an adventure and that learning to emerge victorious from adverse situations is part of their evolution, but with imagination and confidence, it is possible.
FATPHOBIA
Malena Ballena is a necessary show in today's society, where the pressure to conform to certain aesthetic standards is constant, and fatphobia is a real problem affecting people of all ages. By presenting this theme through puppetry, an accessible and engaging format for children, Titiritrán Teatro offers an invaluable opportunity to: - Generate dialogue: The show can be a starting point for important conversations at home or at school about body diversity, respect, empathy, and how to respond to bullying. - Promote inclusion: It contributes to building a more inclusive and less discriminatory vision, where differences are valued and acceptance of all bodies is promoted. - Prevention and awareness: It helps raise awareness among both children who could be victims of bullying and those who could be perpetrators (consciously or unconsciously) about the consequences of their actions and the importance of respectful treatment.
Let's end fatphobia now | Magda Piñeyro | TEDxTarragona
ARTISTIC SHEET
Autor del cuento: Davide Cali
Dramaturgia y dirección: Maruja Gutiérrez y Pedro A. López
Actores: Pedro A. López y Maruja Gutiérrez
Diseño de escenografía: Pedro A. López y Maruja Gutiérrez Realización de escenografía: Pedro A. López
Diseño y realización de títeres: Maruja Gutiérrez
Composición musical y arreglos: Lara Bello
Colaborador musical: Héctor Eliel Márquez
Interpretación musical: Lara Bello, Laura González, Sonia Manso
Coreografías: Omar Meza
Diseño de iluminación: José Manuel Carrión
Creación de audiovisuales y video mapping: Tama
Diseño gráfico: Jacinto Gutiérrez
Producción: Titiritrán Teatro
Patrocina: Junta de Andalucía
COMMENTS
Angel Calvente - The Black Mirror, July 11, 2025
Yesterday I had the great honor of attending the new premiere of the Titiritran company in Granada. "Malena Ballena" is a show that touches your soul. A huge thank you to Titiritran for this wonderful gift, "Malena Ballena." All bodies are diverse and not mutually exclusive. Little Malena and her mouse are wonderful. The live voices of the singing trio. The lights and projections. And of course, the work and artistry of Maruja and Pedro. Congratulations, dear friends. May Malena never stop swimming and splashing everyone.
Ana Díaz, FEX
Malena Ballena premiered yesterday, July 10th, at the José Tamayo Theater. Titiritrán Teatro and the entire team involved in this new production kept us spellbound and completely captivated from beginning to end. If you haven't seen it, we recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to see this delightful piece as soon as you have the chance. Congratulations!
Yolanda Girón, FEX
What a marvel to be able to attend the premiere of the Titiritrán Teatro company's adaptation of the short story "Malena Ballena," which, with the audience standing and applauding at the end, is born to have a long life raising awareness about bullying and fatphobia.
Great teamwork, congratulations!!!
