"But beyond the obvious truth that tells the story of a broken paradise in a dead-end situation there is something else, something strong, something powerful. A core untouched and never mentioned, a common knowledge that has kept its roots in people's hearts...

'Elegguá' is a physical dance theatre performance with live music, performed by a 20-strong cast including actors, dancers and musicians.

Elegguá, the cheeky messenger between human beings and Orishas, reflects about past and present Cuba. He takes the audience on a journey by revealing the two contradictory sides of Cuba nowadays: The magic world of Afro-Cuban culture on one hand and the hard reality of everyday life in Cuba that is subject to the political situation on the other.

Taking Santería and the Yoruba pantheon as basis and inspiration, 'Elegguá' combines traditional Afro-Cuban elements with the artistic team's contemporary approach to performance making.

Elegguá was performed at the Unity Theatre Liverpool in May 2003.

Text/Direction Kathrin Bigler
Choreography Rebeca Fernandez Lopez
Composition/Musical Direction Philipp M Moll
Design/Lighting Ingrid Scholes
Vocal Coach Amy Smith
Cast Niall Ross Hogan (Eleggua), Paul Bennett (Chango), Patricia Beranek (Obbatala), Sarah Gorton (Yemaya), Naomi Shoba (Praying Girl), Charlotte West (Ochun), Arild Blomkvist, Jenni Doherty, Kyle Grant, Sarah Hebb, Ruth Varley
Musicians Anne Bunckenburg (Percussion), Thomas Kongshavn (Electric Guitar), Jan Maihorn (Percussion), Philipp M Moll (Double Bass), Lara Lopez Parra (Percussion), Brian Robinson (Percussion), Adam Skinner (Percussion), Amy Smith (Voice)