Théâtre Sans Frontières presentsComo Agua para Chocolate
(Like Water for Chocolate)
Based on the Original Novel by Laura Esquivel
May 13th 2008 - May 31st 2008
Show starts: 7.30pm
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)
A sumptuous love story cooked up in a Mexican kitchen.
This gorgeous, sexy tale is set in revolutionary Mexico in 1910. Tita, a young woman forced to watch her sister marry the man she loves, cooks to quench her aching heart. Her food intoxicates all who taste it, affecting them deeply and transporting them into a captivating world of magical realism.
This is the UK’s first stage adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s worldwide bestseller, Like Water for Chocolate. With an international cast from Mexico, Spain, Nicaragua, USA and the UK, vibrant text and a haunting, cinematic score, which includes live music, TSF brings its flair for visual storytelling to this sensual celebration of Latin American culture.
Performed in Spanish with a little English
Suitable for 15+ years
Pre-show talks: Saturdays at 6pm
Post-show talks: Wednesday's after the show.
¡que les aproveche!
TRY OUT THE MEAL DEAL
2 course meal at Tito's Peruvian Restaurant (by London Bridge Station) + ticket to see the show
Starter: Papa a la huancaina or Chicharron de cerdo or Yuca frita c/ salsa huancaina
Main Course: Escabeche de pescado or Aji de gallina or Ronda vegetariana
Dessert: Alfajor or Arroz con leche or Helado
Only £20 (13th - 17th) or £25 (20th - 31st)
not available Mondays; drinks and service not included
Read about Tito's...
"...burns with a passion that threatens to set fire to the stage"
The Stage
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Creative Team
Adapted for the stage by |
- Linda McLean |
Directed by |
- John Cobb |
Designed by |
- Neil Murray |
Reviews
Adapted from Laura Esquivel’s bestselling novel, Como Agua Para Chocolate is performed almost entirely in Spanish. It also runs to 2½ hours, which, for a nonSpanish speaker, does not bode well. Set in revolutionary Mexico in 1910, it tells the story of Tita (Alejandra Ambrosi Cortes), who is forbidden to marry by her harridan mother (Sarah Kemp) and must watch her beloved Pedro (Jeronimo Best) wed her elder sister, Rosaura (Pepa Delgado). Tita pours out her feelings into her cooking, magically intoxicating all who eat it with her own simmering emotions. Théâtre Sans Frontières, the British company behind this production, aims to transcend cultural and language barriers with mime, music, masks, gesture and visual humour. It sounds worthy and unrealistic, yet the passion of the excellent cast draws you in. It helps that (with the help of a few English asides) the story - essentially an age-old fairy tale, with Tita as Cinderella to Rosaura’s ugly sister - is not hard to grasp. Still, that doesn’t stop you wishing you knew what the Spanish-speakers in the audience were laughing at.
3 Stars - Debra Craine
The Sunday Times Read Full Review
You’ve read the book, you’ve seen the film, now comes taste the stage version… Actually, if you don’t speak Spanish, it might be a good idea if you did acquaint yourself with Laura Esquivel’s bestselling 1989 novel or the popular 1992 screen adaptation before attempting Théâtre Sans Frontières’ epic live adaptation, which is performed in Spanish without surtitles and with only the odd line delivered in English to aid comprehension. The playing is very expressive, of course – director John Cobb has assembled a fine cast, with Alicia Martel particularly strong in the musical department and Leonila Argüello Chavarría providing uncannily good chicken and baby sound effects – but there’s still plenty of room for misinterpretation.
For instance, when our early-twentieth-century Mexican heroine, Tita, is prevented from marrying her beloved Pedro and made to serve as family cook instead, she finds herself helping to prepare the wedding food for her sister Rosaura’s nuptials. I had the impression from the mimed stage action that she’d poisoned everyone, but the synopsis in the programme suggests otherwise – they ‘weep for their lost loves’.
If you’re a fan of magic realism, you’ll probably enjoy the way the figurative flames of passion are conjured literally as a kind of holy smoke that then gets mistaken for the ghost of Mamá Elena, etc – the TSF team does fine things with smoke and silhouettes generally. If you’re not, you may just find yourself epically irritated by the fey romanticism of the whole thing.
3 Stars - Robert Shore
Time Out Read Full Review
Como Agua para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) is a stirring love story set in 1910 revolutionary Mexico and oozes fire and passion.
Romance, home remedies and recipes mingle, as the feelings and desires of the heroine, Tita infuses it into her cooking, deeply affecting all those who eat it.
This magical notion links decades of events, as Tita fights her destiny, creating an epic which is certain to stir the soul.
The original novel by Laura Esquivel has been translated into more than 30 different languages.
While Theatre Sans Frontieres' production is performed in its original Spanish, translation is not needed as emotions sizzle from the pan out into the rural ranch where the action takes place.
The youngest of three daughters, Tita falls in love with local boy Pedro, only to learn that tradition dictates she will never marry and must care for her mother until she dies.
She grieves as her beloved marries her sister Rosaura not knowing it is only so he can be near Tita. Her tears fall into the wedding cake having a profound effect on all the guests.
The lyrical fiery Spanish language assist the brilliant international cast in communicating a sensual drama and a range of emotions which bubble and bubble until they boil over.
The earthy Chencha, family servant and companion of heartbroken Tita, is warmly played by Leonila Arguello Chavarria.
Comical interludes are provided by her alarmingly realistic impressions of a chicken and a crying baby.
Pedro is a little too wet and sappy to root for as a hero but the divine Alejandra Ambrosi Cortes's Tita, a constant tear in her eye, more than makes up for this.
Tinkling music lifts the stark set, while a silent movie sketch and mask work compliment the story-telling. Although perfect to convey a flashback, the shiny plastic of the masks are too pound-shop' in appearance to not cause a giggle.
With injections of English which will keep non Spanish speakers afloat, this play is a winner for the Spanish speaking community as well as anyone who revels in desire and Latin American music. It will certainly have you reaching for the book.
The Southwark Playhouse has transformed its bar into a spicy underground venue which comes alive with Latin-American beats.
With a reputation for accessible theatre, they recently held an open day for young people interested in theatre or film. Definitely among our best theatres in London.
News Shopper
News Shopper Read Full Review