Welder Rodrigues on the comedy program Tá No ArEstevam / TV Globo
Published 05/05/2024 06:00
Rio – Welder Rodrigues has a history marked by dedication to art and passion for humor. Having been on stage for three decades, the 54-year-old actor has a wealth of characters that have left a mark on Brazilian humor, such as Mayor Sabá Bodó, from the soap opera “Mar do Sertão”, on TV Globo, who returned in the current six o’clock serial, “No Rancho Fundo”.
In an interview with Half an hour, the comedian recalls the beginning of his career in theater and television, shares some behind-the-scenes details about his performance and comments on what it’s like to play a character again in a new production. Check out.
How was the beginning of your career? When did you realize you would be an actor?
My career began in 1979, when I performed in a school play. The director told me to stop because I was doing political satire, and then I said I would never stop doing that again. And it was at this moment that it began.
How do you prepare to play the characters?
I first like to know what the author and director want. As I am self-taught and have already created many characters for my theater group, “Os Melhores do Mundo”, when I arrive on television, I always ask what the author and director want, both in comedy plays and in soap operas. And we always find the common place to create the character.
Have you always wanted to work in comedy?
It was natural for me to work with comedy. Since always. My entire work career has been about comedy. So much so that I was invited to do comedy in the soap opera.
What are the biggest challenges in your acting career?
For me, it’s something so pleasurable that I don’t even know if it fits the word challenge. I think it’s more identification than challenge. Because it’s not a challenge. The best word is dedication. And for me it’s excellent! I really enjoy acting. Recording an exterior on a sunny day, midday, is difficult, but most of the time it is very pleasurable.
Can you share any memorable behind-the-scenes experiences?
I already had an experience of a near robbery in the wings. We were on stage and a guy came in trying to steal our things during the play. We only saw the movement of the security guards taking the guy away. This was unusual. The curtain already caught fire and we put it out with the extinguisher. In theater alone, you have a 30-year career, right? So there’s a lot of history.
What are your sources of inspiration? Are there actors or films that influenced you?
My generation of comedians are those from the 1970s, like Chico Anysio and Jô Soares, as well as comedy shows like “Monty Python” and “Os Trapalhões”. My generation was influenced by these men.
In your opinion, how important is humor in art?
I’m not just talking about humor, but the entire art. We saw this during the pandemic, how important art is. People stayed at home consuming music, films, comedy, drama, horror… And it was very important when everyone was stuck at home to escape the reality imposed by the pandemic.
What is it like to continue a character, like now in ‘No Rancho Fundo’? Are there any challenges or changes in preparation?
We were very happy. There were several characters from “Mar do Sertão” who came. It makes it a lot easier, because you already know what will work and what won’t. The characters already have the audience’s empathy. We are very happy, and the audience numbers are showing this too, that people liked the return of all the characters and the new ones too.
Any future projects after ‘No Rancho Fundo’?
I still don’t know. We know that several comedy projects are already on Globo’s table. Now we just have to wait for the hammer to come down to find out which one(s) will be approved. Many projects are being presented and will certainly use the comedy cast that already works in the house.
What was the role that most marked your career so far?
I joke that the role that most defines my career is the one I’m doing today. But I record Sabá Bodó (character from “No Rancho Fundo”) during the week and at the weekend I’m performing with a play by my group, “Os Melhores do Mundo”. We have been performing without interruption for 30 years. Every weekend I’m on stage. We have twelve shows, so every week I play a variety of characters. And that’s what I’m doing today! This Sunday, I will be showing in Brasília with a play called Misticismo, where I play eight characters.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting out and wants to pursue a career in acting, especially in comedy?
I recommend you get a lot of information, read a lot. It’s a common place, but sometimes people don’t do it, right? The more you inform yourself, the more you read, the more you consume art, the more you listen to music, the more you travel, you will create the repertoire to increase your critical sense. And humor is basically critical sense. Prepare yourself every day until you die.
