Fun take on a man’s struggle
EL BLANCO grew up thinking he would be one thing and became another, irking him deeply.
“He struggles with it, as many of us do, just that instead of bank managers, divorce and depression, his struggle is hilarious and has songs and jokes in it,” said James Cairns, who will tell the Mexican character’s story in a one-man performance at Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse, in the Midlands, on Friday. He’s a mariachi. “Mariachis are similar to the griots of some parts of Africa in that they are popular poets – or perhaps were. In recent times they have been integrated into a cheesy view of Mexico.
“That aside, the fun thing about mariachis is that they sing loudly, publicly and evocatively and that was the kind of feel we were looking for. Also, they are storytellers.”
The story around El Blanco: Tales of The Mariachi germinated in a conversation between Cairns and writer Gwydion Beynon. “We wanted to make a solo show, a western, and there had to be songs. Mariachi was the obvious next step. A story about a storyteller developed, which became a story about us.”
For Johannesburg-based Cairns, performing at Michaelhouse is a trip back to his home province, having matriculated at Maritzburg College. He studied at Rhodes University in the mid-1990s where staff in the drama department, like Andrew Buckland, Reza de Wet, Gary Gordon and Lindsay Reardon, provided inspiration.
“They all taught me important things and inspired me to make my own work instead of sitting at home and waiting for a call.”
El Blanco: Tales of the Mariachi Performed by James Cairns Written by Gwydion Beynon Date: Friday, February 3 Time: 7.30pm Venue: Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse Tickets: R100 Bookings: www.tickethut. co.za/michaelhouse, e-mail Angela Jonsson at theatre@ michaelhouse.org or call her at 033 234 1314 weekdays between 8am and 1pm.