Son and grandson of people linked to the theater in the Buenos Aires town of Escobar, Ignacio Sureda He began acting at an early age. So much so that at the beginning of the 2000s, when he was only 12 years old, he made his TV debut in an episode of “Los Simuladores”. But it was not until 2018 that he achieved popularity playing “Pantera” for two seasons in the series “El Marginal”, along with Roly Serrano, Claudio Ricci, Nicolás Furtado and others.
Today, “Nacho” is part of the San Martín Theater in “The great illusion”a bittersweet comedy by the Neapolitan Eduardo de Filippo, rewritten by the Catalan Lluís Pasqual and performed in the main roles by Marcelo Subiotto, Patricia Echegoyen and Pablo Mariuzzi. The work questions the limits between reality and fiction based on a rather cunning magician who fortuitously intervenes in the outcome of a love relationship. Story where a man must choose between resigning himself to the fact that his wife ran away with her lover – Sureda’s character – or accepting another “reality” proposed by the magician.
Ignacio Sureda: “The Great Illusion” is his first work in an official theater. What does that mean to you?
News: It is fulfilling the kid’s dream. As a child, I walked with my maternal grandmother along Avenida Corrientes and told her that when I grew up I was going to work in one of her theaters. In 2023 I did “Sinvergüenzas” for a few months at the Premier; and now this other work, no less than in the San Martín.
News: The piece talks about a man who takes refuge in an illusion that grants a breath of hope to his own life. Have you ever “bought” some illusion to avoid a painful situation?
Sureda: Yes. The last time, not long ago, it happened to me in a romantic relationship, like in the play. I think that at some point it happens to all of us, with a connection, with the society where we live or with existence itself. Many people put a chip in their head and say: “I am this, my job is this” and they don’t question it anymore; and maybe it’s not quite like that. I usually wonder why we are here, if we have a mission… I love acting, but it is also true that I have a father who is an actor, director and theater teacher; and that my paternal grandfather was also an actor when he was young and that the year I was born, he also opened a theater in Escobar. So sometimes I wonder what would have happened to me without that story.
News: And what is answered?
Sureda: That I would be a racing driver, my other great passion.
News: He just said that he recently experienced a love fiction.
Sureda: Yes, it was an illusion, which ended in great disappointment, very painful. I jumped on an illusion that made me think of a family and soon I realized that it was a film that I had made. But look how crazy! When that collapsed, “The Great Illusion” just appeared, with a director that I admire, the best I worked with; with great actors, perhaps not so well known -except for “Pato” Echegoyen, for his work on TV-, but with solid theatrical experience; and in a theater where they work with a commitment and a thoroughness that I have rarely seen.
News: Was it a challenge?
Sureda: Because of the rigor with which it was treated at San Martín, yes. For the rest, not so much, because I feel very confident acting. Besides, I like risks. In fact, I love racing in a car at 200 kilometers per hour and skydiving; and in acting, risk generates adrenaline in me. The “Pantera” from “El Marginal”, for example, was a great challenge, because the stuttering I did there could turn out well or it could be a disaster, but I always like to go full throttle, I avoid the comfort zone. For me, it’s kill or be killed.
News: His character in “The Great Illusion” is important, but he appears in few scenes. How do you experience that after starring in “Pantera” and having been part of the successful “Sex” by José María Muscari?
Sureda: It was quite an exercise for the acting ego. When I finished reading the script, I thought: “Is there something missing here?” I consulted with the director and Pasqual explained to me that this was the case because the original work lasts four hours and that he had to adapt it to last two. There I remembered a quote from Stanislavski that says “there are no small roles, only mediocre actors” and I understood that that was my challenge. And you know what? I am very happy doing this play, because of the rehearsal process, because of the quality of the director and because I continue to enjoy the work of my fellow actors. For me, “The Great Illusion” is a seminar that includes all of that, a great lesson where I learned a lot.
News: Tell me about your passion for motorsports.
Sureda: I’ve liked it since I can remember. As much or more than the acting. I didn’t pursue it as a child because my parents didn’t like it and because it is an expensive sport. Although my old man didn’t support me, when I was seven years old he taught me how to drive in a country house we had; and in January of this year I fulfilled my dream of running for the first time. I made my debut in the Bora Cup, a one-brand opening race for TC Pista Pick Up that runs mostly at the La Plata racetrack and where I already competed in five races. I always finished between ninth and tenth among more than 20 drivers: a very good result for a rookie. Look, I’m going to tell you something: I enjoy running more than sex. You’ll say I’m crazy, but that’s the way it is.
News: I understand it because I have been a fan of Formula 1 since I was a child and for me, Sunday morning people do not exist.
Sureda: Oh really? What a coincidence! So you understand me (laughs)
News: And do you plan to continue?
Sureda: Yes. After those five races I stopped for a budget issue. Just for that, because it runs early on Sundays and the theater is in the afternoon. Until I get to the TC, I’m not going to stop. Even if it is, some races.
News: How did the environment receive it? .
Sureda: Good, because despite the rivalry on the track, it is like a big family. I think at first they thought I was just going to fool around, take photos, film some video. They didn’t expect the performance I had.
News: Does the running “Nacho” Sureda also have some character?
Sureda: No, that’s one hundred percent me. On the first lap of my debut race I cried my eyes out with emotion; and then, more recovered, I passed a couple of cars: Until they hit me from behind at more than 200 kph and I spun. Imagine the pain I suffered! But since the car was whole, I went ahead and finished. When I got off, with a mixture of emotions -happiness, ecstasy and a bit of fever-, I wanted to know not in the best way who had hit me and I didn’t like that.
News: The “Pantera” came out…
Sureda: Totally (laughs). But now they love me.
News: I read that when he finished making “El Marginal”, he had a hard time getting rid of the character.
Sureda: It happens that the “Pantera” has enough of me. Saving the distance, of course, because until now I haven’t killed anyone (laughs). But as a child I was somewhat violent, which I overcame with years of therapy and work on myself. Since “Pantera” was a very borderline, dark character, and I always go deep – apart from the fact that it was the opportunity of a lifetime – it was difficult for me to get off of him. To the point that when I finished recording, I was left with panic attacks.
News: So much?
Sureda: Yes, because I took it too seriously. Both physically – because before I didn’t have this back – and emotionally. The “Panther” was also a very lonely character, so I felt like I shouldn’t see anyone for a while. In fact, I even separated from my partner at the time.
News: Isn’t that a lot?
Sureda: I don’t know any other way. Besides, everything that goes up, comes down.
News: I also read that while doing “Sex”, he received decent and indecent proposals. Tell me.
Sureda: The most common thing was to find invitations from girls in Instagram messages inviting me to be with them, even in a group of five; and sometimes, since I was single, I accepted and had a lot of fun. Think that they came out with all the morbidity that the show generated in them. That, plus the fantasies they had with the “Pantera” in some cases.
News: Any invitations you’ve turned down?
Sureda: Proposals from men, which I also appreciated but did not accept, because until now I am not attracted to men. I also had quite interesting financial proposals, but I didn’t take it either.
News: How do you handle the ego in those cases?
Sureda: I have a very hard ego from dedicating myself to this since I was a child, and from understanding that fame at some point is half a lie. What I never lost was that kid Escobar, I never believed him. TV and fame didn’t change me. Those who have known me all my life can tell you.
News: You define yourself as someone who is bold, who has no filter. But the times he was asked about his love life, he never told much. Because?
Sureda: I choose to preserve my privacy for several reasons. First, because the relationships I had never lasted more than a year. So, giving a name or introducing the person, I don’t see it. And second, because people from outside often screw up, out of envy, spite or simply bad vibes. So until I have a stronger bond, I prefer to keep that in a bubble.
by Sergio Nuñez
