Alerta
Theatre is also democratic
Review about “Alerta”, a play by Marianne Eilers Gonzàlez, performed at the Bread & Roses Theatre in July.
We are in Chile and it is 2018. Several education centres and colleges had challenged the status quo from within: students had decided to take their classrooms and lock themself as a way of protesting against unfair treatment. But, who is getting that much noise and alarm? Women are. This is what Alerta play is all about.
In a similar approach to “Women Talking” the movie (2022), Alerta is performed by 10 actors who interact between each other and sitting next to the audience, allowing us to experience closely the fears, the dreams, and the unfortunate events that lead the protagonist to fight against their authorities with strength and vulnerability at the same time.
“Coming up with this show has been a huge and beautiful journey of personal, cultural collective and inspiring discovery. Alerta explores a part of my life in Chile, during the feminist wave in 2018. Creating Alerta comes from a need to tell these stories that drive us to bridge distances, to question, to unite”, shared the director Marianne Eilers González.
What I loved about this play is that it promotes democratic principles which are disappearing in some of the countries where the actors come from, and my own particularly. . Actions such as voting or hearing others’ viewpoints are powerful tools to make everybody feel listened and included. Of course coming to an agreement is always the difficult part and the play highlights this.
When I left the room, it was a shame not knowing if I had to come back. I never knew what happened to these girls up there and how their fight ended. Maybe it is just like democracy: it is always a “work in progress”. But the show had sparked my curiosity about the feminist ‘revolution’ in Chile.
Tell me more!
Alerta is created with 100% Latin America creative team and cast, having performers from Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua, Perú, Brazil and México. Alerta combines theatre and activism to create a thought-provoking and impactful portrayal of the feminist movement. Search for it. Read about it and shared it.
Have a look at @alertatheplay on Instagram.
By Cristina Martinez
My uncle is not Pablo Escobar
Existing is a visibility thing.
Review about “My Uncle is not Pablo Escobar” theatre play written by Valentina Andrade, Elizabeth Alvarado, Lucy Way, and Tommy Ross-Williams.
I know I am the new kid on the block writing about Latinx in the theatre scene in London, but I am happy to discover Latinx actors taking the stage in different communities. The Brixton House is one example of venues showcasing more Latinx stories. On this occasion, they hosted a play about the complexity of being an immigrant in the voice of four Latinx actresses and how one extraordinary life changing event challenged their status quo.
“Bro, believe me if you are confused, so am I”
A typical migration story goes, first we try to assimilate as much as we can into the culture we are living in. The goal is to adapt and survive. If you depend on a visa; it is also a visibility issue: the less you expose yourself, the better. This was my impression of the conflict between the characters from the Play “My Uncle is Not Pablo Escobar”. These characters are invisible to society; just trying to fit in; until an extraordinary event awakens then from that taciturn inaction to work together for the greater good of their communities back home so the events that occurred in the past, don’t happen again.
A well written and directed play performed by amazing actresses in dynamic rhythm. I could not keep my eyes away from the stage for an hour and a half. Also worth mentioning is how inclusive it was displaying subtitles in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Latin American stereotypes were discussed from within the community; another example of how Latinx are increasingly contributing to London’s cultural scene.
Tell me more!
“My Uncle is Not Pablo Escobar” is a theatre play written by Valentina Andrade, Elizabeth Alvarado, Lucy Way, and Tommy Ross-Williams. A nug shell for the play: four Latinx women risk everything to expose a multinational bank while they confront the audience with creative inserts games about what it means to be both Londoner and Latinx. You can check more information aquí
Review by Cristina Martinez
29/06/2023
Eating Myself
***UPDATE***
New UK TOUR DATES. Find out aquí
“Food is a gift and excuse to be with our love ones”
Comments on “Eating Myself”, solo performance by Pepa Duarte. Peruvian actor, writer, and theatremaker based in London.
Food magically takes us back home evoking memories through its aroma, taste, and the people we share it with. This is precisely what Pepa Duarte, an experienced Peruvian actress, brings to the stage in her play “Eating myself” ; the ability to make the audience feel like they are part of the family. However, this theatre play is not merely a tale of heritage and family, but an exploration of the perpetual struggle for acceptance and the challenges of being an outsider, particularly as a migrant woman.
Pepa has a clear mission “My goal as an artist is pushing boundaries to make unique, experiential, and challenging pieces responding to the demands of social change. My work responds to reality through vulnerability, commitment, and entertainment. Often exploring the themes of migration, feminism, and tradition. Community, family, belonging”.
As an immigrant living in London, Pepa found herself on a journey: a journey inside herself, to discover experiences of sexism, dieting culture, and gender societal norms. Ultimately, she learned that food could be shared with a new family around a new table. And in her play, you are invited to taste it.
The work of Pepa is truly exquisite. As she performs on stage, she commands the scenery with such mastery that it’s almost impossible to look away. And to top it off, she cooks while performing, adding yet another layer of talent. At the end of the play, she invites the audience to share the food she’s prepared, creating a truly immersive experience. As a Latin American migrant in London, I felt a strong connection to her story, and it was hard not to burst into tears.
Tell me more!
Pepa Duarte is a Peruvian actor, writer, and theatremaker based in London. UKNA Selected artist. Award winner (OFFCommendation) for ‘Eating Myself’. Currently working with Old Vic Theatre, Kit Theatre, Tender & Education, and West End in Schools, amongst many other organisations.
***UPDATE***
New UK TOUR DATES. Find out aquí
LAWRS[EC1] [SE5]
”Nuestros servicios: Ofrecemos servicios especializados gratuitos y confidenciales para mujeres latinoamericanas, incluyendo asesoramiento y terapia para mujeres enfrentando situaciones de violencia contra mujeres y niñas, asesoramiento legal en beneficios, vivienda, deuda, y derechos laborales, así como actividades de integración y actividades grupales donde puedes conocer otras mujeres de la comunidad.
Todos nuestros servicios son en español y portugués y ofrecemos guardería para mujeres con hijos/as accediendo a nuestros servicios.” By Lawrs
