The Soho Theatre went passion-fruity last week with the arrival of this one-man show mocking the stereotypes film and television have reinforced on the image of Latin American people. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the piece, to let us know if this parody comment on bigotry and discrimination made him cry Ay, chihuahua!.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Why are you kissing that cripple?”. I swear to God that’s a just quote from my favourite telenovela scene. Not that remark makes me sound any better, now that I think about it… Anyway. If there’s something I’ve learned by watching hours and hours of sabroso camp Mexican drama, and their ever-twisting plots about heartbreaking love affairs, catfights and bitch slaps, is that I couldn’t be any gayer. But also, that Latin American people are even more passionate than Spaniards (I wonder if louder too…) – in order words, and please make sure you remember this when coming to watch, E-MO-TIO-NAL. Or at least, that’s the how the rest of the world thinks they are.
Enter Playin Latinx, a one-man standing comedy show dealing with the joys and fun of auditioning – if you don’t get the irony by now, we’re definitely gonna have that lisiada moment. Penned and performed by Guido García Lueches, the piece is a wondrous display of Hispanics’ well-known versatility when it comes to their acting: from the steamy shirt-forgetful stud (whom we must always assume he has talent…) to the poor farmer in a poncho trying to sell his sheep in return for medicines for his abuela (and his plight can’t make you feel sorry for him, his complete name certainly will).
A collection of the cliches that have carved the stereotypical image of Latin American people since the dawn of fiction (and I really don’t understand why, mi amor), the montage is an amusing comment on prejudice and xenophobia – taking us through the arduous process not only artists, but anyone with a different cultural background in general, has to go through in order to break that semi-imposed pattern that prevents others from seeing their true selves. An interactive experience where your contribution may range from becoming a casting director looking for another Sofia Vergara (we love you and we’re not gonna forget about Colombia) to a born-again Latino going from Douglas to Adaglasin – and probably 5 more additional names, the production is both an homage and editorial about the author’s cultural heritage and the way it’s been portrayed in films, television and theatre by its foreigners.
Generally entertaining and featuring some truly hilarious moments, the piece succeeds at its attempt of regaling us with a straightforwardly fun, feel-good evening – while also providing some insight and criticism about a still ongoing situation. However, there’s work to be done for it to be fully effective. Though Lueches gives an electrifying rendition, boasting great improv skills and, all in all, infectious charisma, the structure seems to fail at some points – looking a bit repetitive by recurring to the same kind of gags and scenes all the time without providing a proper story arc. On the other hand, some excerpts sound excessively preachy – and though a writer is always welcomed to make a statement and try to convince their audience about it, it’s crucial to just give them the tools to come to that conclusion, instead of telling them what to think. The script does both, but it should only do one.
Despite those much needed tweaks, there are nonetheless enough good traits for the production to be deemed an enjoyable night out. You will laugh, you will cheer – you may end up singing a song about a burrito (the dish, not the animal – though I get that both can be long and dripping). It’s not perfect and part of its potential seems highly unexplored, but as a concept, it has sufficient substance to make of it worthy of an applause, and a later reflection about the importance of cultural heritage. Because we must connect with it. And I’ve always said that we’d be better off if everyone would go back to where they belonged… Again, that was Cam in Modern Family – definitely not me!
All pictures credit to Mann Bros.