2023-12-15 20:31:33
Two weeks following his debut in Córdoba, A Magical Christmas (Flavio Mendoza show that can be seen until January 1 in Córdoba) continues to surprise those who enter the tent to see a thematic circus show, and find themselves with an experience of another level. The setting, decoration, music, lights, even the smallest detail was thought and worked on so that adults and children absorb the magical and festive energy of the event before the performance begins. “What I see from the stage is priceless to me. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a little old, or what, but with everything that happens in our country, seeing parents with their children, looking into each other’s eyes, laughing, happy, and sometimes even crying with emotion, makes me so happy. It fills my heart to do this type of show. The family leaves with a lot of nostalgia, united, the message of the show is that beyond the material, the important thing is to be together, and that if we are together everything is possible. It is a moment of unity, of having a happy moment,” says Ignacio “Nacho” Friguglietti, who plays Rudolf, in dialogue with VOS.
–Your character generates a special connection with the little ones through humor. How do you experience this exchange on stage?
–Totally, for me these types of simpler or more endearing things have to do with popular humor, and I love that. I come from the circus background and I have that mentality, I like these types of shows that are not confined in what cool alone, or in the complex. You can do very good things without having that motto. The actor sometimes looks for a complexity in things that perhaps is not necessary. I love this character, I like that he doesn’t have too much complexity, and that he is one of the most endearing. He has this kind of clumsy, innocent thing that looks really funny.
–On stage you do everything. You dance, you sing, you do acrobatics, in some way you guide the development of the work. It seems exhausting but at the same time very fun.
–As it is, I think doing all these things makes him such a great character. Being half cartoonish he can play many roles, and that is very fun, very magical. Melchor, Gaspar (characters played by Mauricio Trech and Ezequiel Encinas) and I fulfill that function a little. The truth is that this work makes me experience a very fun movie. I got very attached to Rudolf. If I had seen a show like this when I was 6 years old, I would go crazy, it is an incredible fantasy. I have never seen this type of thematic shows in my country that pay tribute to these things, although many may say that they are foreign or commercial parties, they are beautiful, I think it is wonderful. This show sets the bar very high.
–In these types of shows there seems to be no margin for error. What is the run-up to a show of these characteristics like and how do you prepare for the unforeseen?
–The cast rehearses a lot. We started in Buenos Aires and then continued in Córdoba, with everything set up, weeks before the premiere. In Buenos Aires, almost an entire production of the work was done to get us used to it. With this work it is impossible to rehearse the kicks, they are shows that require a lot of preparation, assembly, everything. Once the performances begin, rehearsals continue. Not so much time due to the performance of the artists but at least two hours per day. As for unforeseen events, we have at least three swings who are part of the ensemble and two people who know the whole show for any eventuality, because many times the injuries are many and with the swings is not enough. Then, if something comes up in the middle of the show, we have a plan B. Sometimes it is improvised, but the truth is that they are such big shows that improvisation is usually not very effective because… how do you connect seven brains? at the same time?
–Flavio Mendoza is not on stage but as a producer he is famous for his meticulousness. After so many years working with him, what continues to surprise you?
–That he is always right. Flavio is incredible, he helped me a lot on an acting level, he is a guy who has a tremendous vision of everything. Sometimes I can’t understand how he does it, and he’s a bit obnoxious because you end up saying: ‘how can it be him?’ How he didn’t tell me before!’, But he always gets it right. Still, despite being such a perfectionist, he gives you a lot of freedom and if something is not being seen, or is not working, he is going to emphasize it to you and demand the best from you. I have been working with Flavio for a long time, I was in Extravagance, Mahatma, Siddhartha, and he works in a very cool way, very free and lets you be and propose things. He has a much more open mentality. I see myself very identified with him because well… he also comes from the circus, and has a more macro vision of everything on an artistic level.
–Although this Christmas show retains very characteristic elements of Flavio Mendoza’s productions, more ATP is perceived. As if they had two very different production logics. Is that so?
–Yes, the truth is that it is much more universal, and more radiable. The other shows are not for adults, but they are intended as night shows. The circus is much more popular, for the whole family and for all audiences. In my opinion, the circus is one of the best things that Flavio (Mendoza) did, without detracting from the other shows that I was in, and they are really impressive.
To go “A Magical Christmas”
Performances from Tuesday to Wednesday, at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets on sale at Circoanima.com.ar and at ticket offices. Tent on Av. Colón 4800. Prices: from $8050 to $11500 (management fees included).
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