Unflagging Frida Kahlo de Rivera and Viva la Vida – Death and All His Friends.
Frida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican portrait artist who, as a child suffered from polio. As a teenager she was involved in a car accident that resulted in a life of pain and medical problems. She was a communist and was married to the Mexican artist Diego Rivera. Her work explored issues around identity, gender, class and race and so as a result, years later, she became an icon for the feminist movement as well as the LGBTIQ movement. Her work is now being snapped up by rock stars and collectors all around the globe for millions of dollars. This is a fascinating woman and an extraordinary story.
Humberto Robles’ play is not a linear biography, it is not even a logical progression of thoughts. we enter the room and are faced with Frida lying in state on a bed. A skeleton sitting in a chair. As she rises and lifts her black mask we discover today is the Day of the Dead and the shade of Frida is preparing for a party at her house to welcome friends and family, alive and dead. what unfolds is a rambling dialogue that jumps around between her thoughts, reminiscings, accusations, regrets and celebrations. we get glimpses of so many of the fascinating parts to this woman and her story but at under an hour in running time, we sadly only dip our toes into each moment and we are gone. I was left with a desperation to know more about this woman and this is a good thing about the play but I still feel there was not enough depth for the time span. In my mind, it could have done a little more maybe.
This is a gutsy performance for an actor and Kate Bookallil gives an energetic and fully committed performance. Anna Jahjah’s direction and staging of the play keeps it in perfect step with the life of Frida. A single bed, a skeleton in a hospital wheelchair and Frida producing her individual brown paper artwork as she references them from a suitcase under her bed. It is a frugal and stark set/lighting design – just as Frida would want. The choice to give Frida a strong ‘ocker’ accent was interesting. I assume this was to give her an Australian flavour to the ‘of the people’ nature of Frida.
Where, for me, the play fell short was in some of the details of the performance. It may be a result of the show not quite being ready for opening night, maybe a little under rehearsed. Some actions felt embedded rather than a result of cause and effect (swigging from a bottle of tequila as a response to each sudden leg cramp felt like they were rehearsed moves not a response to pain). Audience engagement was a little hesitant and rushed, not following through with the individual contact. Or a response to an audience member did not feel like it came from the member but rather a rehearsed moment. Lines, at times, felt a little staggered, as if the actor was reaching for the next line. It was slight and minuscule but broke the rambling, erratic whirlwind that was this character. Once these things are in place the ride will be amazing as there is no doubting the commitment and energy of Bookallil. As usual these are my thoughts and the opening night audience was ecstatic.
Overall this was an entertaining and revealing night. The play does exactly what it intends. It shines a light on a fascinating character in our history that deserves more light, more understanding and more recognition. Tickets are scarce.
Lynden Jones, Theatre Now Sydney
FRIDA KAHLO: Viva La Vida
Humberto Robles
23 April – 4 May 2019
Tuesday – Saturday 7pm
Venue: The Old 505 Theatre
Theatre Company: Théâtre Excentrique
Duration: Aprox 1 Hour
On the Day of the Dead, Frida Kahlo is cooking and while she waits for her guests, she evokes Diego Rivera, Nelson Rockefeller, and Leon Trotsky. She exposes her opinion about artists, Mexico, the United States, France, and of course, the memory of her terrible accident and the presence of death.
Frida Kahlo has become a symbol of women in arts and women in general.
“Number one of the top 10 shows not to be missed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!” – Fringe Review
“It’s been a long time since Theatre connected with me this viscerally and at so many levels. This performance will haunt you.” – The Scotsman*****
Ticket Prices
$45 Premium Adults* / $40 Adults / $30 Concession, Industry & Under 30
