Who is Fidel Castro? The revolutionary Cuban leader has had a long and colourful career, but who is the man? Actor Tim Perez should know - he's a scholar on the subject. Perez, along with producer Fiona Jackson and production designer Gail Taylor, will bring an original play about Castro, An Evening with Fidel, to the Heritage Playhouse stage, opening next Friday, Nov. 22.
"Most people don't know that he was educated, a lawyer, and that his family was relatively well off," Jackson said.
Most people do know about his famous speeches.
"He never said one word when a thousand would do," she commented.
She hastened to add that there would be no four-hour speeches in the play, though all the material is drawn from Castro's wealth of words.
It's an original play in two acts, incorporating historic film footage and mixed media set design.Perez will re-create scenes from the life of the Cuban leader, using Castro's own words, gleaned from interviews, speeches and personal recollections. The show includes footage of U.S. President John F. Kennedy ordering the invasion of the Bay of Pigs in 1961 - an act that thrust the world to the brink of war.
Perez looks the part, as he is a tall man of Latino heritage. He began his professional career in theatre in New York. He starred in a movie in Los Angeles and after relocating to the Sunshine Coast, he continued his steady career in Vancouver's film and television industry.
His wife, artist Gail Taylor, has designed huge productions such as the Governor's Ball for the Oscars and other big events. She created the Onyx Studio in Vancouver as a hub for creativity and gives workshops there.
She's currently Christ-mas dressing the River Rock Resort in Richmond as well as working on her contribution to the play - a multi-media set.
She met the play's producer, Jackson, in the 1980s while working as a make-up artist for Johnny Depp. Jackson and Taylor have worked together before, and this original play is the product of all three collaborators.
"Between the three of us we have 100 years of experience," laughed Jackson.
Jackson first worked in Canadian theatre in 1970 when she co-directed an original award-winning play starring Chief Dan George. She has spent a decades-long career in film production, as a casting director as well as the first woman assistant director hiredin the West. She's also a writer and a practising life coach. She admits she has big ideas for what could happen on the Sunshine Coast.
"There are an unusual number of creative people here," Jackson said. "But is there an audience for our play? The only way we'll know is if they buy a ticket."
There are no deep pockets for funding this original play and Jackson points out that the only income for the Heritage Playhouse comes from ticket sales.
"It's fabulous to have thetheatre here in this community," she said, "but it's only a playhouse if it has plays to present. I just want to keep the lights on."
