Julieta Lanteri (pictured above) is the female doctor and politician that La Doctora de Lantera is based on.
La Doctora de Lantera was the 18th most popular play of the year. The political satire was performed 38 times. The play follows the campaign trail of Juliana (who is a fictional character based on Julieta Lanteri) while she is running for National Deputy. Juliana’s husband, Crisóstomo, grumbles about taking care of the baby while she writes her speech. Raul Dellapianola also takes care of the baby while his wife, Mrs. Dellapianola, helps Juliana run for National Deputy. The men complain about tending to the children while their wives advocate for women’s rights. In the second scene, an Italian named Antonio informs his wife, Basilia, and his friend, Celedonia, that women are born to cook and clean. He tells Celedonia that she should listen to her husband because he is in charge, pays the bills, and wears the pants. In scene three, Juliana delivers a speech about defending women’s rights “that have been usurped by men.” She argues that women should be able to do higher-paying occupations that are traditionally dominated by men. In the next scene, the women discuss what they would change if they had the right to vote and representation in Congress. Their discussions vary from the changes they would make in fashion, to banning alcohol. In the last scene, Juliana loses the election by 50,000 votes. The men celebrate her loss, shouting that they are free. The play reflects how Argentinians responded to shifting gender roles during the early twentieth century.