Iris Theatre

A Musical by the People Ltd presents ‘Fidel’ a brand new musical about Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution.

Fidel Castro was the world’s longest standing political leader, and no one has divided opinion more. Fidel Castro has been portrayed as a dictator, many Cuban exiles hate him, but unlike any other dictator, Fidel retired with the love of his people.

In the 1950s, with his trusted gang of revolutionaries including the handsome Argentinian doctor Ernesto Che Guevara, and the amazing Celia Sanchez, Fidel Castro vowed to liberate Cuba from the dictator Batista.

With just a few hundred soldiers and limited weapons, they took on Batista’s army of thousands, with its tanks, aircraft and US-backed weapons and won. Their secret was their bravery, dedication, and the support of the Cuban people who desperately longed for social justice and an independent Cuba.

The script was written by Dr Denise Baden based on her research in Cuba and her desire to tell the tale from the Cuban perspective. This musical aims to go beyond the propaganda, misinformation and ideology to present an honest portrait of this fascinating island and its leader.

Drawing on the Cuban values of education and inclusion, musical numbers have been adapted from the best of the songs submitted by music students across the UK who were challenged to write songs for Fidel the musical (see www.fidelthemusical.org).

You will be amazed, excited, scared and inspired and the wonderful songs will stay with you long after the performance ends.