In an evening marked by profound reflection, theatrical intimacy, and acting mastery, the Casa Haas stage became a meeting point where past and present engaged in a dialogue through art. Before an attentive, select audience, renowned actor Rodolfo “Fito” Arriaga delivered an extraordinary and moving performance in *Marx in Soho*. This one-man show, presented by the prestigious TATUAS company, revealed the more human, everyday, and lesser-known side of the illustrious German thinker Karl Marx.
Having portrayed this character for over a decade, actor Fito Arriaga
recounted the most difficult, joyful, and painful moments in the life of the German economist, sociologist, and revolutionary—considered the father of scientific socialism and modern communism—shifting seamlessly from laughter to tears and deeply touching the audience.
Set against a modest yet carefully crafted backdrop that effectively evoked the atmosphere of the 19th century, the production brought to life the text by American playwright Howard Zinn. The narrative transported the audience to the narrow streets of London’s Soho district—a place where Marx lived alongside philosophers, comrades, friends, and family—interweaving the joys and tragedies that defined both his professional career and his personal life. During the monologue, cherished anecdotes involving his dear companion Friedrich Engels came to life—moments underscored by the musical nuances of composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven—alongside evocations of historical milestones, most notably the heroic Paris Commune of 1871.
Displaying his seasoned stage presence and ease of performance, Fito Arriaga occasionally broke away from the rigidity of the classic script to address contemporary realities, offering keen reflections on social movements and the paradoxes that persist in modern society.
As the performance concluded, the atmosphere of shared connection gave way to prolonged, enthusiastic applause; the Mazatlán audience rose to their feet to acknowledge the dedication, passion, and artistic rigor of the artist from Sinaloa.
The presentation of this major work in the port city was made possible by cultural promotion policies supporting projects selected through the Program for Support of Teaching, Research, and Dissemination of the Arts (PADID 2026), as well as the collaboration of the Mazatlán Institute of Culture in bringing theatrical productions of high artistic value to the stage.
