Clad in a wrestling mask and revealing outfit to boot, El Jaguar is quite the silly sight to behold. He takes to the stage with gusto and excited vigor however this is short-lived as he promptly tells the audience that the show has reached its peak and to lower their expectations.
This self-deprecating view of his abilities – which he even graphs visually for us – is punctuated by his desperate need to please and this becomes the source of much of the entertainment in the show. Though there are a few awkward moments and there isn’t really any tie-in or reason behind the costume, for the most part In Fiesta is an enjoyable affair.
2015 was the worst year for El Jaguar and consequently he wants to focus on living a life that is filled with moments of joy, happiness and laughter. Thus El Jaguar is hosting a fiesta and we are all invited to join in on the festivities. The hour is spent planning and preparing for what he describes will be an ‘anti-climax’. Crisps are shared, party poppers passed around and we get to know each other along the way.
The strength of this show lies in the crowd banter that takes place. At its core the show centers around and thrives off crowd interaction and Derek Flores, the man behind this masked maverick, pulls this off admirably. He is a skilled improviser and incredibly quick-witted, seamlessly engaging with the crowd and bringing everyone together through their responses.
In Fiesta is absurd as it is amusing, celebrating the good and bad in life in the form of riotous antics and festive merriment. It is a lighthearted, off-the-cuff comedy that is loads of fun, wildly frenetic and gleefully exuberant.
In Fiesta is on until May 14th at the MonteCristo, 53 Nelson St at 8:45pm. For more details and to book tickets, click here.
comedy | theatre | live entertainment | performing arts 