Súper Chefs is an immersive and interactive Latin American musical cooking show and is playing several dates across Londonin October and November as well as visiting Bristol, Cambridge, Sheffield, Merseyside, Birmingham and York.
Directed by Maya Production’s Artistic Director Suzanne Gorman, the show is a lively bi-lingual culinary adventure; a unique and interactive theatre experience inviting young audiences to explore Latin American culture and to celebrate the joys of family, food, and togetherness, written by Betsy Picart with original music by Ariel Cubría.
This delightful, bilingual show is embarking on a UK tour, taking in traditional theatre venues as well as schools; bringing joy tochildren aged 4-8 and their families with its unique blend of food, music, and an authentic portrayal of Latine culture. Audiences will be introduced to the richness of Spanglish, Latin rhythm and the significance of food in family life.
The show challenges traditional Latin American stereotypes of male and female ‘roles’ by showing that the kitchen is a space for everyone to enjoy and participate in. Súper Chefs is a participatory, entertaining and celebratory event for children and their families.
At the heart of the show is six-year-old Manny, who is eagerly preparing a special welcome-home meal for his dad Tony. He enlists the help of mum Valeria (a professional chef), his superheroine sidekick Mighty Mujer, and his traditional grandmother, Alma. Manny’s grandma believes that the kitchen is a ‘woman’s place’ but Manny feels differently. When things go awry in the kitchen, Manny must prove to himself, his family and the audience that he can not only be a chef but also a superhero, all at once.
Through the power of music, dance, and real-life cooking on stage, audiences are invited to participate in preparing a delicious meal whilst joining Manny on his journey of self-discovery in a fun and engaging way. Together, Manny and the audience will cook Colombian arepas and prepare Mexican guacamole while learning about family values, teamwork, and cultural heritage.
Súper Chefs also serves as a catalyst for discussing gender roles in the kitchen. Traditionally, whilst it’s been accepted that men can become professional chefs, the role of preparing family meals is still often associated with women, and the ‘mum’ of the household. But in today’s world, everyone can and should have the chance to enjoy and excel in cooking in the family home.
Latin American communities are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the UK andSúper Chefs offers a unique and important opportunity for audiences to see Latin American stories in the UK theatre scene. With an authentic portrayal of Latin American culture, the show introduces audiences to the richness of Spanglish, Latin rhythms, and the significance of, and passion for, food that binds families together. Súper Chefs offers a unique and important opportunity for audiences to see Latin American stories in the UK theatre scene.
Súper Chefs hopes to inspire and encourage young people to discover the joy of cooking. The kitchen is a place where everyone can contribute, share and thrive equally. Plus, it’s fun to cook with and for your family! Súper Chefs shows young people that the kitchen – and the world – is a place for everyone.
Notes:
Súper Chefs is a tool for learning as well as a celebratory show. Aimed at children in Years 1 and 2, the show aligns with the national curriculum across a range of subjects including PSHE, Science, Geography, and Drama.
Accompanying educational resources for teachers such as lesson plans and interactive workshops are also available, and they provide a deeper dive into the play’s themes, making Súper Chefs an enriching experience for both schools and families.
CAST
Juan Galeano | Manny
Juan is a Colombian actor based in London. He has an MA in Acting for Screen (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) and a BA in Dramatic Arts (Universidad Central in Colombia). He has won six awards for his dedication to performing arts in Colombia, appearing on screen and stage in productions by Cervantes, Shakespeare, and García Lorca.
Natassia Bustamante | Valeria
Natassia is a recent graduate of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. She has quickly landed roles in the multi-award-winning Police Cops: The Musical, and Chriskirkpatrickmas. As an American, she is excited to tour England for the first time. As a Venezuelan, she is pleased to share Latin American culture and see that Guacamole is finally getting the limelight it deserves.
Samantha Manzur | Alma
Samantha is a London-based Chilean actor with Palestinian heritage. She has a BFA in Acting (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile) and an MA in Performance Practice & Research (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama). She has worked on stage and screen in Chile and Britain. Samantha also foundedInterdita Collective, and co-wrote the book Entre Actuar y Performar.Her practice and research focus on languages, memory, body and archive.
Production Team
Suzanne Gorman – Director
Suzanne is Artistic Director of Maya Productions for whom she has directed: Súper Chefs, Machinal, The Croydon Avengers, In Time, Barefoot Gen, Superheroes: South of the River and Babel Junction, and is currently writing a new musical Benny and the Greycats that tells the migration story of an Anglo-Indian family.
Other directing includes:- The Walls Between Us (Sampad), Tales of the Harrow Road, Moonwalking in Chinatown, Bagpuss, 3 days in July, The Weave and Behna (Soho Theatre) The Honey Man (Derby LIVE/New Perspectives) Only Connect (Shared Experience) Star Fish (Theatremongers) The Spirit of Verona(Immediate Theatre) Love at First Degree-Bliss (Leicester Haymarket) and Theatre Ambush, The Hairy Ape, Limbo (Sheffield Theatres)
A Clore Fellow, Suzanne led a research project Where Am I? that highlighted the importance of Black, Asian and Global Majority Background Role Models and Leaders in the performing arts. She works to support workforce inclusion across the sector through research projects, coaching/mentoring, training and facilitation.
María Cuervo – Producer
María Cuervo is a Colombian award-winning multidisciplinary producer. With an MA (Distinction) in Creative Producing at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, In recent years, she has worked with recognised theatre venues and companies like the Young Vic, LIFT Festival, Theatre Peckham, Certain Blacks, Upswing Aerial, Camden People’s Theatre and Creative Vortex. Previous producing work includes the 5-star endurance performance The Second Woman starring Ruth Wilson (Young Vic & LIFT Festival 2023), English Kings Killing Foreigners (CPT 2024), I Love You, Now What? (The Pleasance 2023), Súper Chefs (tour 2023 & 2024), 1797: The Mariner’s Revenge (Old Royal Naval College 2022), Kelab Malam (Rich Mix 2021), The Apologists (Vault Festival 2019), Balthazar Treasure: The Cacao Quest (LIFT Festival 2019), among others.
Súper Chefs is an immersive and interactive Latin American musical cooking show and is playingseveral dates across London in October and November as well as visiting Bristol, Cambridge, Sheffield, Merseyside, Birmingham and York.
Dates:
10th – 13th Oct 2024 – Polka Theatre
28th Oct 2024 Brixton House
30th Oct 2024 – Walworth Library
7th – 9th Nov 2024 – Half Moon Theatre
