Despite having grown up in Australia, actor Caspar Hardaker’s Mexican roots are strong, celebrating Mexican food, art and familial values ever since he was a young boy.
Later this month, he’ll be bringing his story to the stage through the lens of his character Abel – a third generation Mexican American who’s struggled with identity in the same way Hardaker has himself.
It’s this seamless connection which made Hardaker so enthusiastic to be a part of Tanya Saracho’s ‘Fade’ in its Australian premiere.
“When I got the brief for it, I just immediately felt that there were similarities with this character and myself personally. Having the chance to tell a Mexican story is something I never thought I would have the chance to do in Australia, so I was very, very stoked about that,” he said.
For Hardaker, portraying a character that he sees so much of himself in has been truly unique, with Abel and himself both struggling to find a place within their cultures.
“I was lucky enough to have my mum and my abuela – my grandmother – who would come from Mexico to Australia, and I would have so much rich education about the similarities and the differences between Australian culture and Mexican culture,” he said.
“What this play examines really well, just like in my life, is what separates and what brings us together in who we are and where we’ve been brought up in. They’re two very different things, and I think they both come together at a certain point, and that defines us. That’s a big similarity that I’ve enjoyed exploring with this character.”
A story about the dynamics of power, class and race in the workplace, Hardaker said that ‘Fade’ unknowingly educates audiences about the importance of culture, and the experiences that so many Aussies are having each day.
“There are so many millions of people who have a story which doesn’t just start or end with them – it goes back through so much past, so much integration,” he said.
“There are so many trials and tribulations in this play that make you realise that you can’t take anything for granted, but what you need to hold on to is your pride in who you are, knowing who you are, and always sticking true to the family around you, those who make you feel proud to be yourself.”
After months spent working on the play with director Jeneffa Soldatic and co-star Camila Ponte Alvarez, Hardaker couldn’t be more ready to get it on stage.
“I think it’s beyond words at this stage, how excited I am,” he said.
“In particular, talking to my mum about the themes and topics within the play has really brought alive her love and her remembrance of growing up in Mexico, and I just know that by representing this story I’m not only making her proud, I’m representing my mother, I’m representing my family and I’m representing Mexican culture in Australia.”
‘Fade’ will be on at Riverside Theatres from Thursday, July 27 to Saturday, August 5. Tickets start at $46. For more information or to book, visit riversideparramatta.com.au.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.