EDINBURGH 2018: BWW Q&A- Stardust

BWW catches up with Miguel H Torres Umba to chat about bringing Stardust to the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Stardust.

STARDUST is an entertaining, irreverent and impassioned investigation into the human cost that cocaine production, trafficking and consumption have in Latin America and further afield. This multi discipline solo performance, mixes new writing, physical theatre and stunning animations to tell the tale of the chain of lives and deaths that turns a coca leaf, sacred to indigenous communities in Latin America, into a line of coke on a mirror in the western world.

Bringing together contrasting stories from a range of Colombian voices, Stardust is written by Daniel Dingsdale, originated and performed by Miguel, and brought to life through a strong creative collaboration between Colombian, British and French artist who created a distinctive emotional journey told through Colombian eyes.

Where has it been performed so far and how has it been received?

Stardust sold out its original run at Southwark Playhouse for CASA Festival 2017 where it was created as part of the festivals' artist in residence program. The fully developed productions premiered at VAULT Festival 2018 where it won Vault Festivals' 'People's Choice' Award and most recently it was selected as the first theatre show to be programmed to launch Streatham Space Project, a brand new theatre in South London.

STARDUST has enjoyed a some incredibly positive responses, our audiences have loudly expressed the impact that the piece has on them and have praised its artistic and production values. We are very happy to be to have created a piece that is entertaining, informative and touched people's inner fibres and we are very pleased that reviews also reflect the connection we generate with the audience.

What makes Stardust unique?

The combination of visuals stunning projections, physical theatre and new writing creates an exciting and emotionally engaging show that talks about an aspect of the subject little discussed. It digs deeper into what everyone thinks they know about cocaine and its trade and tells a side of a story people haven't really heard before.

Whenever we see stories about drugs or Colombia and cocaine on TV, films or theatre, they tend to be stereotypically obvious; every Colombian character is a narcotraficante, a gangster, a mule or a prostitute, but little do we question the reality behind the stereotype and even less, what role we play in perpetuating this. With STARDUST we are offering a fresh perspective and asking audiences to reflect on what they see and learn, but above all we hope to offer an emotional journey achieved through the mix of styles and tools that touches the inner fibers of the audience and invites them to be part of the conversation that needs to be had.

Who would you recommend comes to see it?

Naturally this is a show that resonates well with socially and politically aware people who have particular interest in Latin American culture, also people who love seeing theatre that is resourceful, tells a good story and is visually impactful, will find in the show a feast for their senses.

STARDUST talks about cocaine and drugs; a subject we sometimes find difficult to talk about openly and honestly. It's informative, and regardless of whether people have or not a relationship with drugs, they will learn a lot of new things, and I hope by the end of it they will want to change the world, or at least start to change it.

And who would you suggest maybe doesn't?

People who have a strong relationship with cocaine could find it harder to listen to and watch. However in the experience of doing the show and hearing our audiences point of views in post show conversations, we have learned that those who have experience to cocaine or the trade take the most out of it. We have worked hard to make sure our piece is honest and direct yet it doesn't alienate and on the contrary bring people together to talk about something that we all share a degree of responsibility. So the answer is, everyone should see it!

How does it feel to be at Pleasance 10 Dome?

STARDUST is my debut in Edinburgh and I am honoured to be at 10 Dome. Pleasance theatre has a special place in my heart. Nine years ago I went to the festival for the first and only time. Back then I worked as a crew member for Pleasance, and I met some of the wonderful people who form the Pleasance family. I learnt a lot and the aspiration of performing at the festival started, so to finally be back with them and this time with a show I am proud and excited about is extremely exciting.

How did you research the subject of STARDUST?

The research mixes, an extensive collection of articles, documentaries and books, conversations with the team of Colombian artist behind the show to break down and dig into our understanding of the information, interviews with other Colombian friends who told their stories and experiences as well as with professionals who work with indigenous Comunities in the Amazons, Drug policy organisations like the ATS (Columbia), IDCP (International) and Release(UK). All this research, points of view, personal stories, frustrations, and what needed to be said, was then passed to Playwright Daniel Dingsdale who furthered it with his own research and wrote the play.

What's the most challenging thing about performing in Stardust?

The challenge for me is the text. English is not my first language and my background is in physical theatre so to perform a piece with the amount of text we have, making sure it's clear whilst maintain the energy for the more physical parts demands a lot of stamina. The first attempt at STARDUST was a short physical theatre piece but then it was clear that for the show to develop and say what needed to be said, a written text was utterly important, which is why I reached out to Daniel Dingsdale and it's been challenging and great, he certainly loves words.

Stardust is Pleasance 10 Dome from August 1st - 27th

Further details https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/stardust

Photo credit: Alex Brenner

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