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


Joyful Señorita Rita

Review about “Extravaganza Party” at the @thejagodalston. A signature party showcasing Latinx Talent Musicians by @senoritaritauk & @n.e.a_records 

Having no money to do something has never been an excuse for a Latinx to make things happen, and the artists we are writing about today know this first hand.. Being away from home is hard but building a tribe in a foreign city is even more difficult. But, this was overcome by Pepa Duartes and his team during the launch of the Extravaganza Party hosted by “Senorita Rita”.

What it may seem like a Latinx networking at the start of the event soon enough is a welcoming celebration and recognition of citizenship in the same rhythms and bits of vibrant music. Bands such as Alex Etchart ᐩ Vientos, Imperio Bamba, DJ La Contra, and DJ Suma Phayiri, gave the night a special feeling that got the attention of  a private party upstairs that came down to join as couldn’t resist the energy.

This party was also an extraordinary excuse to present the world premiere of “Beautiful Migrant”, a Senorita Rita’s music video that showed the audience the journey of a drag queen arriving to London to become a star. “This character is part of the Senorita Rita’s theatre play, a bio drag queen show defying stereotypical notions about migrant women through comedy, dance, and shamanic rituals”, says @pepaduartes in her Instagram account. You can see the full video on YouTube here. 

That night last April, we were all together under the same flag without political disputes or nostalgic feelings for being away from home. This is the magic of the Latinx people. Can’t wait for the next extravaganza!

Tell me more!

@senoritaritauk is back to London for one night as part of the Calm Down Dear Festival at @camdenpeoplestheatre this next Tuesday 13th of June at 9:00 p.m. Then she will be moving to Sheffield for the Migration Matters Festival 2022 where she will be performing on the Friday 23rd of June. The makeup, design, and details from Pepa Duarte, Senorita Rita’s character, are from @panchouk.  Choreography by @vivi_gabel and Photography by @hectormanchego.   

Review by Cristina Martinez

10/06/2023

 


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


Tribute from LatAm artists

Chabuca Granda, was an acclaimed Peruvian singer and composer. She created and interpreted a vast number of Criollo waltzes with Afro-Peruvian rhythms.

Below artist from Iberoamerica sing this beautiful song in her honour.

Granda’s song “La Flor de la Canela” has become an anthem for the city of Lima, Peru.


Tribute from LatAm artists

Chabuca Granda, was an acclaimed Peruvian singer and composer. She created and interpreted a vast number of Criollo waltzes with Afro-Peruvian rhythms.

Below artist from Iberoamerica sing this beautiful song in her honour.

Granda’s song “La Flor de la Canela” has become an anthem for the city of Lima, Peru.