The company of theater The Enchanted Deer broke its ties with the cultural institutions of Cubajust at the gates of its 30 years of experience.
In a communicated on their social networksthe group announced this Tuesday that ceases to belong to and have a working relationship with the Havana Theater Center, the National Council of Performing Arts and the Ministry of Culture of the island.
The theater group, with a play recognized by critics and the public, reported that The decision was made by its foundersthe teacher Nelda Castillo, director and actress, and the actress and theater specialist Mariela Brito, with the support of the artists that make up the collective.
The company explained that will not continue to subject its work “to the rules, regulations and evaluation and approval mechanisms practiced by these institutions towards our work”.
For this reason, The Enchanted Deer said that It will no longer reside in what was its headquarterson Línea and 18, in Havana’s Vedado.
Review and censorship of theatrical works
The theater group, with a long artistic path that includes awards such as the Villanueva and presentations on international stages, thanked those who “have accompanied it to this point along the way, and those who will continue to do so in this new stage.”
Likewise, he announced that In 2026 it will celebrate its 30th anniversary“with the joy of having a genuine work, which we will continue to share and care for.”
The company, which stands out for its experimental and critical work on boards, He did not specify how he will work from now on or where he will carry out his work.. His decision comes after various disagreements with Cuban cultural institutions, particularly in recent years.
The group has been the subject of censorship and suspension of theatrical productions and other presentations at its headquarters.as happened in 2024 with the work “Action 14, Las Brujas Uruguay”as denounced at the time by Lázaro Saavedra, 2014 National Fine Arts Prize winner.
Likewise, in 2023, the Ministry of Culture canceled the screening of three other works organized by the group, including the documentary Fito’s Havanaby Juan Pin Vilar.
Supportive reactions
The announcement of El Ciervo Encantado generated immediate reactions of support among Cuban artists and intellectuals.
Among those who reacted to the group’s break with cultural institutions are figures such as the film director Marilyn Solaya, the writer and playwright Ulises Rodríguez Febles and the filmmaker Belkis Vega Belmonte.
Actor Luis Alberto García pointed out that “this decision could be seen coming” from the group, because “censorship, media lynchings and exclusions have become increasingly unbearable gags for many creators.”
Likewise, he criticized what he described as the authorities’ demand for apologetic art to the detriment of “incisive, honest and authentic” art.
For his part, actor Héctor Noas described the news as “sad,” considering that the institutional theater space loses an important referenceand highlighted that the careers of Nelda Castillo and Mariela Brito are among the best exponents of Cuban theater culture.
In addition to supporting the company’s decision, several Internet users also commented on their willingness to continue attending its presentations.
“Wherever they go, I will continue going. And also expressing in writing my enthusiasm and amazement at each new show,” stated, for example, the poet and critic Alex Fleites.
