In a bizarre yet heartwarming performance, a Spanish carnival troupe paid tribute to the late physicist Stephen Hawking by dressing up as him and zipping around in wheelchairs. The group's 30-minute musical show at the Official Carnival Groups Competition in Cádiz raised awareness for ALS, with the troupe delivering heartfelt messages through song.
The performers, donning Hawking-style wigs and outfits, hunched over in their electric chairs and mimicked his iconic gestures and robotic voice, sending shockwaves of laughter and delight through the crowd. The group's title, "A Chirigota in Theory," was a nod to the scientific theory that has defined Hawking's legacy.
The performance initially went viral on social media as the troupe wheeled their chairs across cobblestoned streets in Cádiz, singing together in unison, with a bewildered crowd watching in awe. The group invited patients from the ALS Association of Andalusia to their dress rehearsal, where they received a standing ovation.
The performance's author, Miguel Ángel Llull, acknowledged that it was an "all-or-nothing idea" and aimed to use dark humor without offending anyone. However, the lyrics delivered a powerful message, with one song paying tribute to Hawking: "I triumphed all on my own," and another praising his resilience: "With my will to live and my wheelchair, I have reached the very top, even the stars."
What's more impressive is that the group plans to donate their 12 wheelchairs to ALS patients in need. The chairs cost a whopping €400 each, but Llull said, "Since we're carrying the load, we might as well do the deed." This donation will undoubtedly bring smiles and comfort to those affected by the debilitating disease.
The performance was a poignant reminder of Hawking's enduring legacy and the importance of using humor and creativity to raise awareness for important causes.
The performers, donning Hawking-style wigs and outfits, hunched over in their electric chairs and mimicked his iconic gestures and robotic voice, sending shockwaves of laughter and delight through the crowd. The group's title, "A Chirigota in Theory," was a nod to the scientific theory that has defined Hawking's legacy.
The performance initially went viral on social media as the troupe wheeled their chairs across cobblestoned streets in Cádiz, singing together in unison, with a bewildered crowd watching in awe. The group invited patients from the ALS Association of Andalusia to their dress rehearsal, where they received a standing ovation.
The performance's author, Miguel Ángel Llull, acknowledged that it was an "all-or-nothing idea" and aimed to use dark humor without offending anyone. However, the lyrics delivered a powerful message, with one song paying tribute to Hawking: "I triumphed all on my own," and another praising his resilience: "With my will to live and my wheelchair, I have reached the very top, even the stars."
What's more impressive is that the group plans to donate their 12 wheelchairs to ALS patients in need. The chairs cost a whopping €400 each, but Llull said, "Since we're carrying the load, we might as well do the deed." This donation will undoubtedly bring smiles and comfort to those affected by the debilitating disease.
The performance was a poignant reminder of Hawking's enduring legacy and the importance of using humor and creativity to raise awareness for important causes.