Show set to Premiere on 25th Sept 2021
News Feature: Gasper Crasto...13th Sept 2021
Ben Evangelisto, unquestionably, is one of the most famous comedians of our times to have donned the Goan Konkani stage.
The Benaulim-based actor regularly has the audience in peals of laughter during his performances.
Ben has done a variety of comedy roles, he is well-known to imitate a number of famous personalities – from Jacinto Vaz to Remo to Michael Jackson to Bob Marley – the list is endless.
In one of his famous acts, he was attired in Michael Jackson's trade-mark black outfit, white socks, white gloves, black shades, and hat, there was instantaneous applause.
At his mimicry of Jackson's movements, and his belting out the Konkani version of Jacko's pop hit 'Black or White', the applause was relentless. It was as if the King of Pop himself was on stage.
Evangelisto Diogo Agnelo Fernandes – popularly known as Ben Evangelisto or Comedian Ben, was born on 10th September 1966 to Caetano Fernandes and Maria Purificacao Goes.
Ben is originally from Vasvaddo, Benaulim, and has lived there all life.
Undoubtedly, is one
of the most famous comedians of our times to have donned the Goan Konkani stage,
the actor regularly has the audience in peals of laughter during his
performances.
Ben is deservingly called the ‘Master of Characters Comedian’ for impersonating several famous personalities to perfection – from Jacinto Vaz, Remo Fernandez, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Churchill Alemao, M. Boyer, Lorna, Calendar from Majorda, Bin Laden, Rosario Rodrigues, Marceline de Betim, etc - the list is endless.
In his most famous
acts, attired in Michael Jackson's trademark black outfit, white socks, white
gloves, black shades, and hat, he brought instant applause.
At his mimicry of
Jackson’s movements, and his belting out the Konkani version of Jacko’s pop hit
‘Black or White’, the applause was relentless. It was as if the King of Pop
himself was on stage.
BEN’S EARLY YEARS
Ben’s father migrated to Karachi - Pakistan for better prospects, through his godmother; he was employed on P&O cruises as a chief cook. Ben’s elder brother Jose was born in Karachi, however, when latter was nine months old his mother decided to return back to Goa.
Later, after 7 years Ben Evangelisto was born in Goa.
Ben spent his childhood at his maternal uncle where at the age of 9 years he would enact short plays with neighboring children, after watching tiatrs. He was schooling at Colva at that time.
Thereafter, at the age of 11, he joined the boarding of St. Anthony High School at Duler Mapusa.
Ben’s talent for
acting was first discovered by the Franciscan Brothers at the school. He would
write short plays in Konkani and English.
Ben’s English play
‘Goa Today’ dealing with drug addiction was performed at the school gathering
and was well appreciated.
While he was a boarder, he participated in various school competitions which were held normally, he was a star during those days and was awarded first prizes every time during the competitions.
Encouraged by the little achievements, Ben’s love for Konkani grew much. After his schooling, he joined Fr. Agnel Industrial Technical Institute (ITI), Verna.
Simultaneously during his studies which was full-time of the day, he acted in village tiatrs, where Mini Mario roped him in his Junior Troupe ‘Adim Tum Atam Hanv’.
PROFESSIONAL STAGE
Soon, Ben was a name to be recognized, he had created a niche for himself for his unique comedy.
Goa’s popular director King of Centuries Roseferns soon noticed him and gave him a break in his drama ‘Beiman Tum’ by giving him just 2 scenes where he enacted the role of a spring-father (a priest walking on spring-like legs) which was talk of the town those days.
Later in Roseferns ‘Xinxe’, as xamaim (grandmother), he rose to great fame with people comparing him to the calibre of legendary Souza-Ferrao.
The role of Xamaim
has been Ben’s speciality and many directors have asked him to do it over and
over again. Ben is happy that he was the one to introduce this character and is
thrilled that this role is enacted by so many new comedians today.
Till date, Ben has acted for numerous directors namely Rosario Rodrigues, Menino de Bandar, Mario Menezes, Pascoal Rodrigues, Ligorio Fernandes, Lawry Travasso, Prem Kumar, Chris-Meena, Patrick Dourado, Jose Rod, Fr. Nevil Gracias, Menino de Bandar, Irineu Gonsalves, etc.
He was also a part of Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostin’s tiatr ‘Tandullanchem Kestanv’ when it was re-produced in 2010, and also Souza-Ferrao tiatr ‘Govio Put’ in 2009.
Ben has also saved many directors in emergency situations to replace comedian artistes at the eleventh hour, he was even flown abroad as a replacement many times at short notice.
BEN EVANGELISTO DRAMAS
Ben wrote and
directed his first tiatr 'Dudh Sagar' in 1989. Chronology of Ben’s Dramas is as
follows:
1989
– Dudh Sagar
1992
- Kidd
1993
– Chondrim
1993
- Miss Aguada
2004
- Devak Zai Zalear
2008
– Pez
2020 – Utt ani Chol
Ben is well known for bringing innovative ideas on the stage like showing live waterfall in ‘Chondrim’ which was a difficult task to stage especially in village shows.
Ben also showed live snow on the stage while he mesmerized the audience by enacting a character of a very tall man, by fitting slits on his legs which is quite risky.
Ben also presented
‘To Amkam Visorlo’ written by Jacinto Vaz and played the late comedian’s role
to the hilt.
The gifted star was privileged to perform with Lorna in musical shows in London, Paris and Lisbon.
AUDIOS, ALBUMS & VIDEO
To his credit Ben’s Audio Albums are:
· April Fool, Bondo,
· Goem Tem Goem,
· Amerikak Raulo,
· Devak Zai Zalear
Ben also has a Video Album called ‘Top Hits’ produced by Manfa Music.
He features in video CDs of several other producers in comedy roles and songs, apart from featuring in songs on YouTube.
Ben was the first Goan to shoot 2 songs at London’s famous Tower Bridge for his album ‘Top Hits’.
FOREIGN TOURS
Ben has toured countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, etc, several times.
Ben was the first among Tiatrist to visit Paris (France), and Lisboa (Portugal) for Nightingale Lorna’s tour alongwith Norman Cardozo, Comedian Domnic in 2004; the troupe also performed in London and Canada.
He has also worked in London for a couple of years in 2006~07.
Meeting different Goans around the globe has been Ben’s most satisfying experiences during his journey in tiatr world.
A TRAUMA THAT IS NOW A PAST
The tiatrist fraternity was in a state of shock when Ben Evangelisto suffered a mild stroke whilst performing on stage for an afternoon show at the Ravindra Bhavan on 11 December 2012.
He was in the midst of a performance when he collapsed. Ben was immediately rushed to a hospital in Margao and admitted to the ICU for treatment.
After 3 days in the ICU, he was kept under observation for a few days more and got discharged on December 16 after he showed remarkable improvement from the stroke.
Ben went on to make his comeback in ‘Goy, Goykar, Goykarponn’ by Mariano Fernandes and soon released his own tiatr, ‘Utt ani Chol’ based on his life, his sickness, and the mighty power of God.
PROFESSION & BUSINESS
Ben is a licensed Control Electrician, he had to give up the profession for his love of tiatr. He has also been an expert in mechanical and plumbing works.
Ben owns a small lodging house at Benaulim called Ben’s Stage Guest House.
PRIVATE LIFE
Ben is married to Sibila from Ribandar, herself an award-winning singer who has previously rendered 12 songs on AIR and won awards as Best Singer at the Kala Academy Tiatr Competition.
The couple are blessed with 2 children – a son and a daughter.