followed by a lunch with cappelletti made by the volunteers of Teatro Socjale - reservation on the same day, before the start of the performance (vegan and vegetarian option available)
A fun, provocative and dynamic cabaret exploring the passion and subversion of Spanish Copla in English. Copla songs channel the queer and migrant experiences in Spain’s early musicals. The Copla Cabaret is conceived as an identity quest of a queer migrant that progressively transforms into their subversive drag persona, as they reinterpret Copla songs in English. No new Copla has been written since the late 20th century or performed outside Spain. However, in this show Copla songs will rejuvenate into a joyful, comprehensive and accessible music style for audiences of all backgrounds. This participative show aims to rewrite Spanish history through the queer migrant gaze.
writer and performer Alejandro Postigo
director Sergio Maggiolo
violin Violeta Valladares
piano Jack Elsdon
designer Ricardo Ferreira
producer Scott Folan
duration 70′
Alejandro Postigo is leader of HisPanic Breakdown, a UK-based Anglo-Spanish theatre collective committed to addressing re-interpretations of culture and folklore, as demonstrated in their show Copla: a Spanish Cabaret (2013-15). Previous works of the company include Men on the Verge of a HisPanic Breakdown, Wondering Thoughts, and The Copla Musical (2014-22), seen in Europe and America. Alejandro is also Senior Lecturer in Musical Theatre at the London College of Music, University of West London. His research explores historical revisionism of copla and musical theatre, and applies translation, queer and intercultural theories to his professional practice as a theatre maker. In his professional work, he champions the artistic contributions of non-native English speakers to create migrant theatre in the UK, as demonstrated in his latest show Miss Brexit (2022-25).