The Guiñol Theater of Camagüey is one of the biggest references of the puppet show in Cuba. Its antecedents are found in the creation of various groups of puppeteers in the fifties of the last century, although it was not until 1962 that the project materialized in Camagüey, after a course given by artists from the National Guiñol.

The first play presented by the fledgling theater group was La Margarita Blanca, directed by Pepe Carril. The intention was not only to show his talent in the main halls of the province, but to reach, with his portable altarpiece, the most diverse corners of the territory.

Many were the directors and actors who left their mark on the Camagüey Guiñol, but it is perhaps under the direction of Mario Guerrero Zabala that the stage of greatest splendor of the group begins.

“Unquestionably, the most important moments are from the time Mario returns from studying theater in the former Soviet Union and his stage as artistic director begins -he had previously been a Guiñol actor. From then on, there is a total change in aesthetics and results. Mario managed with his first work, Balada a un Pollito Pito, to position the company as one of the best in the country”, comments Jesús Rueda, current director of the Camagüey Guiñol.

Works such as the Balada para un Pollito Pito, Patito Feo, Sencillamente Amor, Ikú y Elegguá y Los Ibeyis y el Diablo have received multiple awards in different National Theater Festivals for children and adolescents.

El Guiñol de Camagüey has also gone through difficult times, but despite this, it has not ceased in its efforts to deliver its art to the public. Currently, they have the play Juego de Sombras on the billboard and are working on a new show.

“We are working on a children’s show, written by Eddy Díaz Souza and entitled El Príncipe y el Mar, which is in the process of being created and which we hope to have ready by mid-March or April,” adds Rueda.

Touching the hearts of the youngest and making them smile, bequeathing them an apprenticeship or promoting their values continues to be one of the fundamental premises of the Guiñol de Camagüey after 61 years. From rehearsals to presentations, the dedication of this group is total, because they are aware of the demands and importance of their audience.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García