CASA Latin American Theatre Festival returns from 2–11 October to the Barbican and Rich Mix. This year’s highlights include a barmy Brazillian take on the life and work of Samuel Beckett in ‘Neverwhere Beckett’ by hotly tipped emerging company Café Cachorro, making their UK debut at Rich Mix; also at Rich Mix British-Latin American company Las Nanas de la Cebolla with ‘When They Disappear’, winner of the 2014 CASA Scratch Award with a compelling, visually stunning look at Mexico’s pandemic violence against women. And , of course, the new edition of Nuestra CASA Scratch Night, with five new companies competing for this year’s prize.
CASA Latin American Theatre Festival returns from 2–11 October to the Barbican and Rich Mix for another world-class program, with a politically-charged line-up including a special Mexican focus as part of the 2015 Year of UK-Mexico. This year’s highlights include a barmy Brazillian take on the life and work of Samuel Beckett in ‘Neverwhere Beckett’ by hotly tipped emerging company Café Cachorro, making their UK debut at Rich Mix; also at Rich Mix British-Latin American company Las Nanas de la Cebolla with ‘When They Disappear’, winner of the 2014 CASA Scratch Award with a compelling, visually stunning look at Mexico’s pandemic violence against women. And, of course, the new edition of Nuestra CASA Scratch Night, with five new companies competing for this year’s prize.
The Mexican UK premieres at Barbican and Rich Mix explore love, sex, politics and environmental change delving deep into the heart of the nation. The Barbican’s Pit Theatre hosts Los Guggenheim‘s ‘The Love of the Fireflies’, a surreal romantic comedy from leading playwright Alejandro Ricaño; and Lagartijas Tiradas al Sol‘s ‘I’ll Melt the Snow Off a Volcano with a Match’, a startling account of the decades of corruption, intimidation and violence sustaining Mexico’s governing party, the PRI. The Rich Mix program includes ‘Border Mass’ by Gorguz Teatro and Universiteatro, a ritualistic musical set on the Mexican-US border, direct from an acclaimed run at Mexico’s National Theatre Festival; Colectivo Alebrije‘s ‘Apart’, following a young generation’s journey under the skin of their past to find hope for the future; and ‘Montserrat’ an autobiographical thriller by celebrated artist Gabino Rodriguez investigating his mother’s mysterious death.
The 2015 program also includes international, live music and community events. The live music program will take over Rich Mix’s main space, with the CASA Concert featuring a headline set from British-Cuban sensation Los Ministros de la Habana and a Latin JAM night with El Combo Latino. There’s also special a Latin dance LGBT night with EXILIO presents LATINOS UNIDOS at CASA; plus CASA resident DJ Chilango on hand throughout.
The festival was established in 2007 with the aim of bringing Latin American theatre to the UK. Throughout the years it has been showcasing work by Latin American companies and has also supported UK based Latin American theatre artists via the festival’s Scratch Night, an annual competition to uncover emerging talent. CASA also runs a series of year round activities under the banner of Nuestra CASA, including CASA Community Theatre Workshops for the Latin American community in the UK.
Recently, it was announced that the Festival will not return in 2016 after six consecutive years, taking time out amid a challenging funding climate before returning in 2017 for their tenth birthday celebration. Speaking about the decision, CASA artistic director Daniel Goldman said: “Presenting the finest Latin American theatre every year is a joy, but we feel we cannot do our audiences and artists justice by going on the same. Arts Council England continue to be an invaluable supporter but with projected funding cuts set for next year and the wider funding challenge we have decided to take a year off and give ourselves two whole years to build towards a truly special tenth year anniversary festival in 2017. In the meantime, don’t miss out on this year’s program – it’s our best yet”.
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Full program details at: http://www.casafestival.org.uk/
All performances are subtitled where appropriate.
Image © Los Guggenheim ‘El amor de las luciérnagas’