Los Fantastikos, the musical which has been performing off-Broadway at the Sullivan St. Playhouse in New York for 37 years, is now running at the San Pol theatre in Madrid. The Spanish premiere took place Oct. 23, creating a significant change in the theatre's programming, since the San Pol was previously a children's theatre.

With music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones, The Fantastikos is translated into Spanish by Ana Maria Bordeguer and directed by James Cook, an American actor and director from the Sullivan Theatre in New York, who has been associated with "Los Fantastikos" ever since its opening in 1961. Cook has finally accepted the challenge of directing the production in a foreign language after touring extensively with the show. The musical director, Juan Jimenez, is a Spanish musician who has collaborated with many singers and was once a member of the band Los Pequeniques.

The cast members include Geraldine Larrosa and Miguel Tubia. The premiere of "Los Fantastikos" reflects a new firm step towards the development of musical theatre in Spain.

"Los Fantastikos" Wednesday at 7:30 PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and 10:30 PM and Sunday at 7:30 PM at the San Pol Theatre, 1th San Pol de Mar Street Madrid. Tickets are available at "El Corte Ingles" centres and : 902400222 (only from Spain).

-- By Carlos Lorenzo
Spain Correspondent