(James Cairns. Pic by Dex
Goodman)
Don’t miss James Cairns in the smart and sassy one-hander, El Blanco: Tales of the Mariachi when he
appears on February 3 at the Schlesinger Theatre at Michaelhouse.
It’s hard to beat the story well told. Stories in themselves are an act of creation,
connecting the past with the present. Creation itself is a story. Without
stories, we would have nothing but darkness and silence. This is what James
Cairns’s character El Blanco believes. While he may unashamedly spin a pack of
lies, in this instance, he comes close to the truth.
In El Blanco: Tales of
the Mariachi his struggle, mostly with himself, to earn the title of
Mariachi is masterfully presented through music and storytelling.
“Stories are songs for people who cannot sing,” is one of El
Blanco’s gems. “And songs are stories for those who can.”
The problem is that El Blanco must overcome his belief that
he can do neither.
Epic, unforgettable and hilarious, El Blanco: Tales of the Mariachi, weaves together stories and songs
based on everything from Mexican creation myths and Ancient Egyptians to George
Clooney.
Penned by acclaimed writer, Gwydion Beynon (The Epicene Butcher, Amateur Hour), the
show leads theatre-goers through a chain of false epiphanies which only lead
his hero, El Blanco, back into self-doubt. As the story progresses, we discover
that lies often reveal truths that would otherwise remain unspoken.
Starring James Cairns (Dirt,
The Sitting Man, Three Little Pigs, The Snow Goose), El Blanco: Tales of the Mariachi is an unmissable production which
shows off the prodigious talents of two of South Africa’s best theatrical
artists. This is a smart, sassy and very funny one-man show. Get a ticket if
you can.
El Blanco: Tales of
the Mariachi will have one performance on February 3 at 19h30 at the
Schlesinger Theatre at Michaelhouse in Balgowan. Tickets R100 booked through www.tickethut.co.za/michaelhouse
or email Angela Jonsson at theatre@michaelhouse.org
or phone 033 234 1314 (weekdays between 08h00 and 13h00)
“A dazzling performance from a very skilled
entertainer.” (artSMart review)
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