Mariposa ★★★ The Place | February 25 & 26, 2025


Mariposa is a contemporary recasting of Puccini's classic story of Madame Butterfly. In this version, we are in Cuba in the 1970s, and a sailor picks up a rent boy whom he soon abandons. Later, when he returns to the island, the seafarer encounters the boy who loves him, but inevitably, the tale plays out to its preordained conclusion. In this version choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra incorporates into his "queer tragedy" the rhythms of the Caribbean and overtones of Santería, the Afro-Caribbean religious practice. Both work nicely to bring a new dimension to this familiar tale. The first act of the production is nothing short of spellbinding. Its evocation of the island's beach and docklands with the clandestine goings-on there is pulsatingly powerful. The score of Luis Miguel Cobo beautifully creates an exotic atmosphere and erotic tension which the choreography takes full advantage of. Harry Alexander, as the sex worker, Mariposa, and Daniel Baines as the sailor, Preston, are quite scintillating in their encounters and display an athleticism and chemistry that is totally believable. Kudos to both. When the act ends with the cocooning of Mariposa, we are left enthralled. Unfortunately, the second act of this production fails to live up to the first. The issue, to some extent, may be the decision to follow more literally the Madame Butterfly theme which is only alluded to in the first half. The "tragedy" seems to become overstated, almost to the point of parody, and the emotional investment developed in Act I is quickly dissipated. The decision to put Alexander in toe shoes is certainly questionable, and his ungainly moves don't really work to invoke sympathy for his plight or for his emerging identity. The high point of the second half becomes the pas de deux between Baines and Holly Saw who plays the mariner's wife. It is a shame that after such a powerful beginning, the second act loses the emotional intensity of the piece, but Mariposa is definitely worth seeing for its achievements.

Rated: ★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Nacho Gonzalez

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: 17 Duke's Rd, London WC1H 9PY, UK

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