Latin Londoner #72: Sergio Maggiolo - writer, performer, and director

Sergio Maggiolo is a London-based writer, performer, and director born in Peru and trained in the U.S. Known for making theatre that is political, irreverent, and charged with emotional truth, Sergio’s work blends personal experience with collective memory, often through playful, genre-defying forms. They began their career onscreen in Peruvian television before training at NYU’s Atlantic Acting School and ultimately settling in the UK, where they’ve built a career across stages in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Sergio has directed and performed in acclaimed productions at venues including Brixton House, The Arcola, Southwark Playhouse, The Pleasance, and Teatro Alfil Madrid. They are a founding member of Un Intento Valiente, a neofuturist performance collective, and a core artist with Degenerate Fox, and is currently touring with JEEZUS! and Eating Myself.

by Amaranta Wright

I was raised by a huge Catholic family in Lima with aunties, grannies and cousins. I Liked to play with dolls and at the age of nine I almost died.

From my mum I inherited her tendency to do everything with love and my father…he loves to live, which I do too.

When I was a child I watched a play called ‘Sin Título’ by the Peruvian theatre company Yuyachkani. I saw it as a teenager and it really shaped my taste for what theatre can achieve. Way ahead of their time they are.

A defining moment in my adolescence was when I got cast as an actor in a Peruvian telenovela, and my parents allowed me to work in it instead of going straight to university. As well as their decision to support me to study acting abroad. Their support for my career has meant everything to me.

I was born into the Latin American theatre tradition and trained in New York in the Group Theatre method. When I moved to London I became a theatremaker, writing theatre, musicals. Now I am developing my theory of post-capitalist absurdism.

My impression of London growing up was that it was rich.

My first year in London was rough. I didn't think I was going to feel at home here. Writing a musical from scratch was my big breakthrough.

The UK theatre industry don’t care about anything you’ve done that wasn’t in the UK. So when I moved here after working professionally for 10 years, I started from zero. Plus immigrants are 10 years behind their career paths: networking, support network, allies, all become more difficult when your family is not from here. You have to accept it, and be so good they cannot ignore you.

Being bi-lingual means I can rhyme words that english speakers cannot. Also, I know how to make theatre with very little. Good in a time of crisis.

Five things that most inspire me about theatre is its ability to connect with people, entertain without a screen, make people laugh, tell stories from a different perspective and provide me with job that I love doing.

I would tell my younger self ….”If you love it, keep at it.”

Over time I’ve learned to value consistency.

I am now happy in London, engaged to my boy Guido, living close to my community, to the shops where I can get my South American ingredients. I love the globality on its streets, laughing with friends and meeting new people. I try to spend the winters in the Southern Hemisphere though.

Once for Halloween I dressed up as Paddington Bear. I didn't know it had to be a scary costume.

My perfect Sunday in London is going for a walk with Guido, coming home, play some board games with our neighbour friends, cook dinner and watch a good film.

My favourite places are The Southbank The canals Any one Lidl. To eat: Jose y su sabor peruano To Walk: Little Venice To think: Along the Thames To do anything but think: KOKO

My favourite favourite word in English? Gurl

The word I most dislike? I like all words.