Noticias
Written and starring Vicky Araico
Juana in a million, a shocking story of a Mexican immigrant in London
March 09, 2018The vicissitudes experienced by a Mexican migrant in London, such as sexual harassment and abuse at work due to not having a work permit, are reflected in an impressive and playful way in the staging of Juana in a million, which started season at the Teatro Orientación.
It is a monologue written and starring Vicky Araico with a strong social criticism, because it speaks of the difficult situation in our country, with the constant murders and the extortion committed by organized crime.
In this context, Juana Gómez Castillo decides to move to London and the play continues her journey as an illegal immigrant, without speaking good English, during the first two months since she passed migration. The meeting in that foreign land is simply brutal.
The staging portrays the situation experienced by those who decide to emigrate, such as not only having to share a room with seven more people, but even sharing the bed with another person to reduce expenses.
Esthetically speaking, Juana in a million is a staging of physical theater and minimalist style, as it takes place in an empty space, where the use of the body and movement, in addition to lighting, are fundamental for telling the story.
Hence the importance of the great histrionic capacity of Vicky Araico, who plays several characters and gradually reveals the thoughts, memories and wishes of a Mexican woman who has to go, but dreams of returning.
The idea of this play, which can be summed up in the question "What are the aspirations of the Mexicans?", arose in 2008 when Araico was working illegally in Canada and dreaming of going to London to study.
Since its premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2012, Juana in a million has received many awards such as the Fringe Firts Award (Edinburgh 2012), the Best One - Woman Show Award (New York, 2013) and the María Douglas APT Award (Mexico, 2014).
Now she arrives on stage at the Teatro Orientación, where she will be performing until April 15 and for her premiere at the Centro Cultural del Bosque, she has had luxury sponsors: writer Estela Leñero, critic Álvaro Cueva and actor Cristian Ferrer.
In this regard, Estela Leñero wished a good season to the play that has already been successfully presented in other places, because it presents a social reality in an intimate way, while Cristian Ferrer thanked for bringing this staging and a bit of Mexico to many parts of the world because, she said: "we are all Juana".
For his part, Álvaro Cueva said that this kind of stories are the ones to be told, especially as part of the International Women's Day, because it is a play that puts one’s finger on the sore spot and makes the public not only reflect, but also sigh.
Vicky Araico, who was widely applauded by the audience, thanked for the opportunity to present this play in a wonderful space such as the Teatro Orientación, because it is a monologue that touches very deep things and invited people to know this necessary story, which deserves to be told.
Juana in a million is directed by Nir Paldi, who also collaborated with Vicky Araico on the dramaturgy. The musical composition is by Adam Pleeth, the lighting by Arturo Nava and the costume design by Kate Rigby.
This play will run until April 15 at the Teatro Orientación of the Centro Cultural del Bosque, Reforma and Campo Marte, with performances on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm Saturdays at 6 pm and 8 pm and Sundays at 6 pm. Tickets cost 150 pesos.
Mexico,Distrito Federal
