EL BLANCO: TALES OF THE MARIACHI. Written by Gwydion Beynon and featuring James Cairns.
REVIEW: Karen Rutter
It is possibly no coincidence that the surname of the main character in El Blanco is Marquez. Or maybe it’s just serendipity. Either ways, those who know and love the writing of the unique Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez will recognise what he has in common with the unique Mexican guitarist El Blanco Marquez – a love of story-telling, and the ability to ravel reality with magic.
The El Blanco who presents himself on the stage at the Kalk Bay Theatre is a portly musician with dreams of becoming a prominent Mexican singer and guitarist – a mariachi, like his grandfather. But alas, teased as a child for his fair skin and embittered as an adult by his mediocrity, his wish seems far from attainable. Holed up in his humble Mexico City apartment, earning a living by singing advertising jingles, El Blanco can’t seem to crack it. But then one day he is struck by a genius idea, and soon fame, fortune and George Clooney beckon. Or do they …?
Gwydion Beynon, who has achieved success as a TV/series writer and playwright (The Epicene Butcher), here delivers the most whimsical, madcap, poignant and very funny script. Really, what was he thinking? And how on earth did he reckon he could pull it off?
A match made in thespian heaven
Well, very obviously, he was thinking about actor James Cairns, whom he knew could make it work. Cairns is a master of the one-man show (Rat, The Sitting Man); a maestro of many expressions whose mobile face is a kind of drama in itself. In other words, the perfect choice to play a Mexican wannabe mariachi with an albino complex and a penchant for straying from the truth. Oh, and with requisite guitar skills, too.
Cairns is always, always an absolute wonder to watch. His ability to tackle multiple personalities within the space of one production, his empathy with the characters he inhabits, and his meticulous awareness of dynamics and timing are major reasons why this is so. Also, he is a natural comic, when he feels like it.
Beynon is clearly a writer who listens to closely to how other people speak, who understands the cadences inherent in conversation, and who can alchemise these into very clever scripts.
The combination of him and Cairns is a match made in thespian heaven. El Blanco takes audiences on a mad Mexican road trip where wolves turn into grandfathers, Turkish activists get frisky with Jennifer Lawrence, and a rotound guitar-player has the last laugh. It’s magic realism on Tequila, comedy on Peyote. It’s all about story-telling. It’s all about the story.
What: El Blanco
Where and when: Kalk Bay Theatre until 18 March.
Book: Kalk Bay Theatre
WS
