El Ciudadano
Original article: «Vigilantes»: Obra sobre la paranoia vecinal regresa a la cartelera teatral con drones y actor recuperado
«Vigilantes»: A Provocative Exploration of Neighborhood Paranoia Returns to the Stage with Drones and a Recovered Actor
A group of residents bands together to confront the insecurity they feel. However, what begins as a community initiative to protect their neighborhood evolves into a web of internal surveillance. As rumors escalate, fueling paranoia, the community introduces various security measures, blurring the lines between safety and authoritarianism, transforming the everyday into a regime of hyper-vigilance.
This is «Vigilantes,» a dark comedy that delves into paranoia, power, and the consequences of losing trust in one another.
This performance marks the second production by Frente Teatral (Mediocres), in collaboration with Fundación Santiago OFF, written by playwright Juan Pablo Troncoso, directed by María Figueroa, and funded by the 2025 Performing Arts Fund of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage.
Following a successful debut season—including an incident where one of the lead actors had to be replaced on the very day of the premiere—the play returns this Thursday, May 14th, at the Teatro del Puente in Santiago.
Juan Pablo Troncoso comments, «While there are indeed serious crimes occurring in Chile today, studies confirm that there is also an exaggerated perception compared to the actual statistics.»
In this regard, the playwright adds that the play «utilizes humor and the grotesque to amplify the feelings perpetuated by the media and certain political narratives, illustrating what might happen to a community that organizes itself in response to crime based on an incident within their building.»
With a blend of irony and rawness, the production of «Vigilantes»—featuring Mario Ocampo, Valentina Torrealba, Deborah Carrasco, and the recovering actor Linus Sánchez—continues to reflect the multidisciplinary style of Frente Teatral, employing projections, music, graphics, and even drones on stage to express their viewpoint on manipulating social contingencies.
Director María Figueroa emphasizes, «Understanding fear, its limits, and consequences was crucial. We started addressing it through the real, the imagined, and the supposed, drawing on our own experiences with neighbors and communities in our buildings. In the play, viewers will see fear and how an excessive obsession with safety actually strips us of our freedom. We always aim for satire and sharp critique—to laugh instead of cry.»
Coordinates
May 14 – 24
Thursday to Sunday, 7 PM
Teatro del Puente (Parque Forestal s/n°. Río Mapocho, between Puente Pío Nono and Purísima; Santiago)
Duration: 90 minutes
For ages 14 and up
Tickets: General $6,000, Students and seniors $4,000
Available at ticketplus.cl
Watch the trailer of the play below:
The Citizen
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