From 10th–19th October 2014, CASA Latin American Theatre Festival returns to its principal venues at the Barbican and Rich Mix with another world-class programme. Originally inspired by Buenos Aires’ Casas de la Cultura – literally homes converted into makeshift arts centres – CASA has developed a loyal following in 8 years presenting over 30 international works in London. With its biggest line-up to date, CASA 2014 expects to welcome over 4,000 visitors into its unique, celebratory world.
Programme highlights include the return of Tryo Teatro Banda with the UK premiere of La Araucana / The Araucaniad at the Barbican. A Chilean company of actor-musicians whose irreverent style made them Festival favourites in a sell-out run at CASA 2012, their latest show is a subversive take on Spanish poet Don Alonso de Ercilla’s 1555 Golden Age epic about the conquest of Chile.
Displaying a huge diversity of styles, the Rich Mix programme includes showstopping improvised mime by Argentine Jorge Costa; satirical tourist board comedy Visite Argentina / Come Visit Argentina; and Ecuadorian physical theatre in Barrio Caleidoscopio / Kaleidoscope Borough. The theme of revolution and resistance also runs through CASA 2014, including Población Arenera / The Sand Settlers, a bawdy satire about a 1940s boxer who inspired revolution; and a Chilean tale of drinking and dissent in Bar Ensueño / Daydream Inn, followed by late-night music and dance.
CASA Artistic Director Daniel Goldman said: ‘CASA Festival has come so far in just a few years. To have such a huge range of work on display is a testament to the brilliant curiosity of our audiences. Hopefully we can reward that curiosity this year with our strongest programme to date, featuring work from leading international artists to emerging performers on their first visit.’
CASA 2014 will also see the return of Nuestra CASA Scratch Night, an award supporting the development of new work by British-LatAm artists, with recent winners including Fringe First winner Juana In A Million; and performances of 2013 CASA Scratch winner and 2014 Three Weeks Editors Award winner Manuelita by British-Venezuelan Tamsin Clarke, transferring from the Edinburgh Fringe. The programme also includes the ever-popular CASA Community Show, plus live music, Q&As, art, workshops, free events, food, drink and much more.
See http://www.casafestival.org.uk/ for more details.
