Carmen Aguirre is a woman who doesn't do things in halves. And that includes the way she loves.
She first fell in love when she was four. The object of her obsession was the 14-year-old boy next door. She'd wear her frilly pink dress in hopes he would notice her. Thankfully, he didn't she'd get so excitedly agitated when he was near that "I literally shit my pants."
Then, at 20, her passion for her country led her to join Chile's underground resistance to General Augusto Pinochet. She lived in terror "absolute terror" that she'd be caught by the military police.
Ten years later, once again her emotions were ruled by an obsession. "I was getting high on the pursuit of an unavailable man."
Not surprisingly, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»actress, playwright and author has a lot to talk about when she walks onto the stage at The Cultch. Her stories of surrendering to love, obsession, being the hunted and hunter, form the basis of her one-woman show, , which is at the East End theatre until May 10.
The WE caught up with her at the soiree on April 24. Her book, Something Fierce: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Daughter, has been nominated for the BC National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction. Although known for her work in theatre, her writing career has taken off, given a huge boost by hip-hop artist Shad who championed Something Fierce in. CBC Radio's listeners agreed with his choice, choosing as the overall winner. Now Aguirre confirms that negotiations have begun to turn her life story into a movie. "It's in the baby stages," she says, which in the film world means it's years away from happening.
Asked what advice she, as a 44-year-old woman, would give her 20-year-old self, she pauses, smiles and then says "You're only young once go for it."
As for advice for her 30-year-old self, the pragmatism of maturity is starting to show: "I don't know how much longer you can do this for."
Today the love of her life is her five-year-old son who, for better or for worse, has inherited her impulsiveness. This doesn't always translate well on the school playground. "He's very physical," Aguirre says. She's trying to teach him that while boyish enthusiasm is good, greeting friends by kicking them in the shins is perhaps not the best way to say hello.
It's led to many discussions about how best to show friendship. Her advice to him is "when you love someone, treat them well."
Meanwhile, she's enrolling him in gymnastics to help him burn off some of his enthusiasm.
Blue Box runs May 2 to 6 and May 8 to 10 at 8pm. There are post-show talkbacks May 6 and 8. Ticket prices start at $28. Go to for details.
