Soliloquio: Tiziano Cruz at Battersea Arts Centre
A festive procession leads to a powerful performance shining a light on indigenous cultures.
Inspired by childhood memories and the 58 letters written to his mother during the Covid-19 pandemic, artist Tiziano Cruz presents Soliloquio, a heartfelt performance at the Battersea Arts Centre in Lavender Hill, Battersea.
Soliloquio focuses on the indigenous communities of northern Argentina.
Mr Cruz was born and raised in the remote province of Jujuy near the borders of Chile and Bolivia.
Flowing with traditional folkloric imagery, Soliloquio delivers a scathing critique of those in power who perpetuate discrimination and sideline indigenous artists.
Opening with a procession, Mr Cruz takes Soliloquio to the streets accompanied by a Latin American marching band and dancers.
Shouting out across the crowd, his powerful prose rouses the festive parade into a rally for the forgotten.
The second half of Soliloquio takes place within Battersea Arts Centre’s Council Chamber and sees Mr Cruz now alone with his audience.
An unflinching monologue delves into his family history and works its way through his struggles to be acceptanced as an artist.
Having previously toured across South America, Canada and most recently in Europe at this year’s Festival d’Avignon, Soliloquio has allowed Mr Cruz to access a previously unreachable field of contemporary theatre.
“Raw, poetic and uncompromising, Soliloquio is a visceral, timely watch for London audiences telling the true story of the ongoing marginalization of indigenous bodies and exploring universal questions on art, justice and identity”, says Pelin Başaran, Head of Programming, Battersea Arts Centre.
Mr Curz’s work has been funded by the Fondo Nacional de las Artes and the Instituto Nacional del Teatro, Argentina.
Soliloquio was winner of the ANTI-FESTIVAL award in Finland 2023, and nominated for the awards Best Latin American Show, Premios Talía, Academia de las Artes Escénicas de España 2023, and Best New Young Artistic Direction – ZKB Zürcher Theatre Spektakel Sponsorship Awards – Switzerland 2022.
The performance is recommended for viewers aged 14 years and older and will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles.
The event begins with a parade outdoors through a public space lasting approximately 30 minutes. Details on meeting points and route will be confirmed with bookers ahead of the performance.
Soliloquio comes to Battersea Arts Centre on October 30, November 1 and 2. For tickets visit: https://bac.org.uk/whats-on/soliloquio/
Pictured top: Artist Tiziano Cruz amidst his parade (Picture: Matías Gutiérrez)