Barceloneta, at Night
Nazis, the Virgin Mary, the Puerto Rican Gay scene and Rollerblades combine explosively in this brilliant comic farce from Puerto Rico's most exciting young playwright.
In a small town in Puerto Rico, 90 year old Nazi Hans, is dying. As he edges towards the end, his carers desperately try to find a German speaker on the island who can write a will in their favour and secure Hans's gold. As they wait for a translator to skate to their rescue, Hans entertains the ghost of Marlene Dietrich, terrible family secrets are revealed, the gardener is obsessed with a statue of the Virgin Mary and the Puerto Rican gay nightlife explodes in all its glory.
Written by Javierantonio González
Directed by Arlene Martinez
Performed by the CASA 2008 company: Rob Cavazos, Daniel Cushen, Miguel Oyarzun, Agnes Brekke, Brian Hands, Gergo Danke
CASA LATIN AMERICAN THEATRE FESTIVAL 2
9-27th September 2008
Union Theatre, Southwark, London
REVIEWS
“I had no idea what to expect but found myself laughing solidly for a good hour. Each character was played and portrayed with vibrancy and fire in their blood … Director, Arlene Martinez, should be proud of her cast and crew and what she has produced, because I walked away satisfied, grinning ear to ear.” - Andy Marchant - RemoteGoat - 5 STARS
“The dank, slightly musty atmosphere of the old warehouse that is now the Union Theatre provides the perfect ambience for a play that bases its dark humour on moral decay. This a brilliant piece of theatre, rich and meaty and ripe with significance and peopled by well-rounded characters - and all presented with consummate skill by the director and cast. - Carole Gordon - What's on Stage - 4 STARS
“The cast members are always visible in Arlene Martinez’s unflagging production, inventively miming dialogue when their characters should be off-stage. But some of the play’s more nuanced moments are overshadowed by what at times feels like bouffant joviality.” - Tamara Gausi - Time Out - 3 STARS
“ An Ortonesque black comedy that brings a rare taste of Puerto Rico to Southwark. The absurd comedy is supplemented by influences that include South American Magic Realism, gay cabaret and even a good dose of soap opera. Barceloneta has the feel of an authentic sample of South American theatre and culture today” - Philip Fisher - British Theatre Guide