Queer performer and actress Luis Amália always wanted to be Ingrid Bergman. While training as an architect they became fascinated by how people “use and pervert spaces”. Luis is drawn to “cinematic tracking shots and bizarre situations which are presented as ordinary & mundane”.
Luis says they are “amazed and deeply moved by Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn or Paul Newman’s works which feed my passion ever since I can remember. Inspired by female gymnasts, who pervert the air as they twist and fly and smile through it.”
What will you see if you come to Stigma?
Luis lists it all out for us, as if ordinary and mundane:
- A five year old boy who doesn’t know which toilet to use.
- A horny teenager who doesn’t get laid because he’s The Mascot (and a terrible footballer).
- A visit to a sexy sweaty sauna with too much body hair.
- Speaking to the rhythm of a metronome while doing stepping.
- Losing an Olympic medal in the Gymnastics Floor Final.
- Becoming a legendary Hollywood actress.
Stigma from Luis Amália on Vimeo.
Luis Amália told QX about themselves.
“I’m an international queer performer, maker and actress. My practice sits at the intersection of theatre, cinema and architecture. I explore body identities, textures, architectural spaces and loss. I draw on references from gymnastics, synchronised swimming and Hollywood actresses. I trained as an architect at the ETS Arquitectura de Madrid and as an actor at Drama Centre London. My live performance works have been programmed at venues and festivals in the UK and internationally”
Indeed, they have. Luis Amália has many performance strings to their bow which include Arcola, Venice Biennale, White Bear, Tristan Bates, Chapter, Poplar Union, And What? Queer Arts Fest, Brighton Fringe, Stockwell Playhouse, Bow Arts, Teatros del Canal, Prague Quadrennial and Matadero Madrid. My film work has screened at Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest and London Short Film Festival.
So why does Luis feel the way they do?
’’Stigma is a good example of my Frankenstein-esque, non-linear, palimpsest-natured work. An intersection of disciplines, references + performing techniques, it adds layers to my previous performances about gymnastics, bodies, identity and actresses. It brings together personal experiences of my confusing journey as a queer non-binary body, the floor final in the women’s gymnastics at Sydney Olympics (where gymnast Esther Moya failed to win a medal) and scenes from film ‘Autumn Sonata’ (Ingmar Bergman, 1978) with the actress I’ve always wanted to be: Ingrid Bergman. Stigma is an investigation of scrutiny, failure and of never being the right fit.’’
LUIS AMÁLIA: WWW.LUISAMALIA.COM IG @luis.amalia TW @_luisamalia
Stigma is a solo show at the Camden People’s Theatre, 15 to 18 June 2022.
Camden People’s Theatre, 58-60 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 2PY
