A group of Peruvian actors with Down syndrome is challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers through their global performances. Cristina Leon, Jaime Cruz, and Manuel Garcia are part of an eight-member troupe that staged “Hamlet” at London’s Barbican Centre.
During an interview with AFP, Leon said, This play proves we can do anything, and people need to see that.”
The initiative began seven years ago, inspired by Cruz’s ambition to act. While working as an usher at Teatro La Plaza in Lima, the 30-year-old declared himself an actor, sparking the idea to adapt Shakespeare’s masterpiece for the group.
I want to overcome prejudices and barriers, Cruz said. Artistic director Chela de Ferrari, moved by Cruz’s passion, envisioned him as Hamlet and selected seven other actors for the project. “Jaime made me confront my own biases,” the director said.
The group has since performed in Spain, Edinburgh, and beyond, earning praise for their “charming and imaginative” interpretation at the Edinburgh International Festival.
This year, they’ll tour 35 cities, including Seoul, Melbourne, and New York, performing in Spanish with surtitles. “Society sets limits, but we’re showing what’s possible,” said Garcia.
De Ferrari added, “In a world attacking diversity, this is resistance. We celebrate differences.”
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Peruvian actor’s ‘Hamlet’ project is a triumph of art and advocacy, demonstrating the power of theater to challenge prejudices and celebrate diversity.
By bringing their interpretation of Shakespeare to audiences worldwide, the troupe not only showcases the talents of actors with Down syndrome but also confronts societal barriers, making a compelling case for inclusion as both a moral and artistic imperative.
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