A special act from South America is performing at Edinburgh Fringe Festival until late August. “The Imitator”, Julián Fontalvo, a singer with the ability to imitate 70 famous artists all while telling his own life story, has been handpicked as one of the hidden gems of the festival.
Zac Liew 
For his act, Fontalvo performs songs by artists such as Sting, Bob Marley, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner to offer the audience a glimpse into the inspirations that led him away from his native Colombia and all the way to New York and Europe to pursue his dream of becoming an artist.
When he was a young boy Fontalvo would mimic the inflections in singers’ voices as he listened to songs on the radio. He knew what he wanted to make of himself, but his mother wanted him to follow a more traditional path. He went on to study marine biology until the temptation of New York became too strong.
His show include a playful retelling of a conversation he once had with his mother, where they discuss his career ambitions, achieved through a rendition of “Bohemian rhapsody”.
After the audience has been shown how Fontalvo realised his gift for mimicry as a child in South America, the songs get into all the obstacles he faced trying to make it big in the States and Europe. The latter part of the performance chronicles how he made it as a full-time artist.
Singing is just part of the act. Fontalvo’s dancing, costuming, and engagement with the audience, all complimented by lighting and staging, completes it.
The Imitator has earned praise for his attention to detail in capturing not just the voices but also the physical mannerisms of the people he impersonates.
Fontalvo returns to Edinburgh Fringe Festival having performed there last year. He has just got back from New York, where he lit up the United Solo Festival and won Best International Show. He has graced the stage in more than 60 cities across 23 countries and performed in front of celebrities like Michael Douglas, Shakira and Anne Hathaway. Rafael Nadal personally contacted Fontalvo to perform at one of his birthday celebrations.
He was also cast in Spanish productions of “We will rock you”, Monty Python’s “Spamalot” and “Avenue Q”, as well as starring in “Gin & Tony”, a musical comedy that he co-wrote and co-directed with Jesús García.
The show has been chosen as one of comedian’s Mervyn Stutter’s Picks of the Fringe.
“The imitator” will be held at the Assembly Rooms Bijou Spiegeltent until August 25th starting at 4PM.
Click here for tickets and for bookings.
(Photos: Press Office YellowMedia, authorised for publication)
.jpg)
