Pego is a town of artists. From here came the already mythical Gossa Sorda, from here they are the group Smoking Souls, here the renowned writer Elvira Cambris was born and lives and, only here, a dancer and choreographer from Pegolí, Marc Pons, could set up a festival with 200 artists in the streets Township.
I'm talking about the Festival de les Arts Escèniques that is being held today in Pego. It is the main course of thePego Carnestoltes' but, as usual, the pandemic disrupts all plans and instead of February, it is celebrated on the last day of April.
A few hours before it starts, I speak with its creator, Marc Pons. “Give me 15 minutes and I'll take care of you”, this is a time trial and Pons barely has time for anything. Putting on a show of this magnitude is hard work, even more so if the rain makes its appearance again two days before the premiere.
"We are almost 200 people including professional and semi-professional dancers, my students and extras who have been preparing this show since December," he tells me.
It is the second time that Marc organizes the Festival. “We premiered in 2020, 10 days before the pandemic. It was funny because during the show we were sharing kisses and a few days later we couldn't get close to anyone anymore. Now, although the situation has stabilized and there are hardly any restrictions left, they will also take maximum care of the security measures so that everyone feels comfortable. “We have adapted to wider streets where there is more space.”
Objective: recover the Carnestoltes de Pego
The Carnestoltes de Pego had lost its essence in recent years. That which made it unique in the 'contornà'. In fact, to get rid of all that big bottle that it had become, it has been held for years on the outskirts of the municipality. The idea of the City Council was to recover this mythical party and, that is where Marc enters the scene.
Pons is not new to this, he is a dancer and choreographer with a long career. “I have tried to create a different product. The people of Pego were no longer involved in the Carnival, they didn't even dress up. My goal with the festival is for people to participate again. In fact, there will be many people from the town inside the show and the public that comes to see us will also be inside it”.
40 minutes of immersion in the Broadway 'pegolí'
Who, like the one who writes these lines, did not see that first edition, will wonder what this show is going to be like. “It has the concept of a cavalcade but I have done it in reverse. In other words, the public is not going to be seated while the show passes in front of them, but here, the artists and the scenery are still and it will be the public who will take a tour of different streets”. Marc tells it with the passion that lives it, "it's very cool because you see yourself immersed in the show, it's 360º and the actor at the end makes the public participate". In fact, whoever wants to come in disguise will be welcome.
The Festival will start at 19:30 p.m. at Plaça del Convent and will run for two and a half hours, until 22:00 p.m. Of course, on this occasion, it is not necessary to go to the appointment on time. "The tour takes about 40 minutes, therefore, even if you come at 21:00 p.m., you will have time to see everything and even repeat a show that you liked more."
The Festival will start strong, with a tribute to the Phantom of the Opera, with professional opera singers, a band of more than 40 musicians and 30 dancers. About 80 people just for the first show. There will also be Moulin Rouge, Jail Tango (Chicago), Mamma Mia and much more. Batucadas, oriental dancers, drag queens… Tonight's show in Pego promises.
Ladies and gentlemen, put on comfortable shoes, a 'jacket' since Cor de la Marina tends to do a bit of scratching when the sun goes down and get ready to enjoy a show in true Broadway style.
