Teatro El Público Presents Requiem por Yarini: A Mirror of Cuban Obsessions

The Teatro El Público company brings its unique aesthetics to the Cuban stage classic Requiem por Yarini, presenting a respectful performance that underscores its reflection of Cuban obsessions.

Director Carlos Díaz highlights the significance of this Cuban tragedy, filtering it through his creative lens to craft provocative and powerful images. This production features the macho king, the devout woman who holds the keys to destiny, and the magical world of Cuban religions and superstitions, all intertwined with the desires of men and women.

Requiem por Yarini will premiere on June 20 and will run on weekends throughout June and July. The production boasts costumes by Vladimir Cuenca, Cris Cris, and Ana Rojas; original music by Bárbara Llanes; set design by Yansel Medina; dramaturgical direction by Norge Espinosa Mendoza; and folklore direction by Fabián Suárez.

The cast includes well-known figures from our stage, television, and cinema, as well as emerging talents: Dennis Ramos, Roberto Romero, Verónica Lynn, Fernando Hechavarría, Antonia Fernández, Lisette de León, María Karla Fornalis, Alejandra Medina, Fernando Ramírez, Carlos Migueles, Freddy Maragoto, Diavén Molina, Nelson González, Georbis Martínez, Ernesto Pazos, Giselle Sobrino, and Alejandro Phillips. These actors will appear on stage throughout the season.

Since its premiere in 1965, Requiem for Yarini has been considered a classic and is one of the most respected texts in Cuban drama. Written by Carlos Felipe and initially directed by Gilda Hernández for the Conjunto Dramático Nacional, it reinvents the myth of Alberto Yarini, the famous pimp and king of San Isidro, one of Havana’s most celebrated legends.

In his play, Carlos Felipe reimagines Yarini as Alejandro Yarini, placing him at the center of a court of prostitutes, pimps, and confidants on the day when his life is most threatened. Beside him is La Jabá, his right hand; before him, La Santiaguera, the woman he loves; and Lotot, the only rival who dares confront him. Fate, fatality, and tragic error converge in this narrative, which has been staged by numerous directors and adapted for television and other media, demonstrating the enduring interest in Carlos Felipe’s work.

The poster for the play was designed by Roberto Ramos Mori.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez