In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, Fagner Rodrigues, founder of Cênica, discusses their show Cheese and Guava or Romeo and Juliet.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
Drawing from the classic Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare and romantic-themed songs by the 'king' Roberto Carlos, in a back-and-forth between the plagiarised love story and the unauthorised music, the show is critical, acerbic, tragicomic... it is almost ridiculous!
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
We wanted to assemble a classic and found in Shakespeare’s work important dialogues with the political moment we live in currently. Our country is divided, polarized, and we are searching for loopholes to talk about love.
We wanted to assemble a classic and found in Shakespeare’s work important dialogues with the political moment we live in currently. Our country is divided, polarized, and we are searching for loopholes to talk about love.
How have you approached developing the show?
We keep a continuous research about dramaturgy and musicality. This show is the outcome of our desire to explore new sounds. We have a band onstage and each performer has learned how to play new instruments.
We keep a continuous research about dramaturgy and musicality. This show is the outcome of our desire to explore new sounds. We have a band onstage and each performer has learned how to play new instruments.
How would you describe the style of the show?
It is a mixture. Music is the guide of our concept, so it is a musical. But it’s not just that.
It is a mixture. Music is the guide of our concept, so it is a musical. But it’s not just that.
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
Love, flavor, music.
Love, flavor, music.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
We are very excited! It’s going to be the first international trip for almost every one of us. Besides dealing with logistics and production, we’ve been rehearsing a lot. No one in the cast speaks English, so we’ve been learning it in order to present a bilingual version.
We are very excited! It’s going to be the first international trip for almost every one of us. Besides dealing with logistics and production, we’ve been rehearsing a lot. No one in the cast speaks English, so we’ve been learning it in order to present a bilingual version.
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
Exchanging experiences with new people! This is a great opportunity to get to know people from all over the world. Brazilian people are very welcoming and communicative. We are certainly not gonna go unnoticed on the streets of Edinburgh!
Exchanging experiences with new people! This is a great opportunity to get to know people from all over the world. Brazilian people are very welcoming and communicative. We are certainly not gonna go unnoticed on the streets of Edinburgh!
What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
I’ve been to Edinburgh for Fringe last year and it is going to be the first time for the rest of the company. I was amazed by everywhere I’ve been, so it is really hard to pick one. Summerhall is definitely a place everyone should visit. Fortunately, it is the venue we will be presenting at!
I’ve been to Edinburgh for Fringe last year and it is going to be the first time for the rest of the company. I was amazed by everywhere I’ve been, so it is really hard to pick one. Summerhall is definitely a place everyone should visit. Fortunately, it is the venue we will be presenting at!
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
I recommend the brazilian ones, of course, but specially the other five ones that are part of São Paulo Showcase: “Honest Fraud”, by Fundo Falso, “The Mequetrefo”, by Parlapatões, “What’s in the kitchen”, by La Troupe, “Another Sight”, by Blind Theater, and “Voyeur / Samba & Love”, by São José dos Campos Dance Company.
I recommend the brazilian ones, of course, but specially the other five ones that are part of São Paulo Showcase: “Honest Fraud”, by Fundo Falso, “The Mequetrefo”, by Parlapatões, “What’s in the kitchen”, by La Troupe, “Another Sight”, by Blind Theater, and “Voyeur / Samba & Love”, by São José dos Campos Dance Company.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
In our city, there is a very important international theater festival, called FIT Rio Preto. A show that I watched there and has had a huge impact on me was “Hysteria”, by Grupo XIX.
In our city, there is a very important international theater festival, called FIT Rio Preto. A show that I watched there and has had a huge impact on me was “Hysteria”, by Grupo XIX.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
I hope they can take a little bit of what we are and remember the flavor of the mix of cheese and guava, the dessert we will be serving on our show. And also that they reflect that in a world with so many wars it is urgent to talk about love.
I hope they can take a little bit of what we are and remember the flavor of the mix of cheese and guava, the dessert we will be serving on our show. And also that they reflect that in a world with so many wars it is urgent to talk about love.
Where and when can people see your show?
Summerhall - Red Lecture Theatre, July 31st to August 25th, at 10:35 a.m. See you there!
Summerhall - Red Lecture Theatre, July 31st to August 25th, at 10:35 a.m. See you there!
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