Anna in the Tropics (2007)
by Nilo Cruz
Directed by Juliet Male
Performances: Tue 6th – Sat 10th November 2007, Bell Theatre
Contents
Introduction
In the late 1920s in Florida and Cuba teams of factory workers hand-rolled cigars in factories. They were entertained by "lectors" who read to them as they crafted each cigar. The lectors were employed by the workers, not the employers, and they read from the world's great classics. The cigar makers often could not read or write but they could quote passages from Jane Austen and Tolstoy. When the cigar making machines were introduced in 1931, there were no more lectors.
Anna in the Tropics is the story of a family who listen to Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, whilst they roll cigars. The story weaves its way into their lives, striking echoes from their own past experience and reminding them of previous pain as well as filling their heads with dreams. This play was a Pulitzer Prize winner in 2003. It captures the atmosphere of the Latin-American culture through the intensity and closeness of a family, living and working together. Like many families, there is an undercurrent of violence. Their world is challenged but the values by which they live are indestructible, giving the whole play an optimism which softens tragedy. The play is full of joy and laughter as well as suppressed passion.
Cast
- Santiago - John Hartnett
- Ofelia - Anita Sollis
- Cheche - Peter Medd
- Conchita - Catherine Ellis
- Marela - Alex Kapila
- Palomo - Jamie Clapperton
- Juan Julian - David Chaisty
- Eliades - James Hough
Crew
- Stage Manager - Jane Moorhead
- Lighting - Gareth Barker
- Sound - Brian Fretwell
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
- Unofficial Photos by Brian Fretwell
A cockfight arena.
The cigar factory.
Catherine Ellis & Alex Kapila roll cigars.
The new cigar brand is launched
Ofelia Anita Sollis tries the new cigar.
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.
Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.
