A centrepiece of this month’s Latin Expressions 2025 lineup will have its world premiere this week. The Fire Never Dies: The Tina Modotti Project depicts 20 episodes from the life of the revolutionary 20th-century Italian photographer, presenting them in different theatrical styles.
Through the play, Vancouver writer and director Carmen Aguirre addresses the following question: What is the personal cost of militancy. The Cultch and Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre will present the preview of the Electric Company production at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday (October 15) at the Cultch Historic Theatre. Opening night is Thursday (October 16) with evening shows from Tuesday through Saturday until October 26. Matinees are scheduled at 2 p.m. on Saturday (October 25) and on Sundays (October 19 and 26).
Modotti immigrated to America from Italy, and then moved to Mexico in 1922. There, she joined the thriving Communist movement in Mexico City before being forced into exile in 1930. After spending time in Europe, she travelled to Spain during the Spanish Civil War, where she worked for three years.
Following Falangist leader Francisco Franco’s defeat of Republican forces, Modotti returned to Mexico under a pseudonym, where she died at the age of 45.
Aguirre has written or co-written 25 plays, often addressing themes of exile and alienation with a darkly comic approach. The cast includes Praneet Akilla, Tasha Faye Evans, Ximena Garduño, Brian Martinez, Melissa Oei, Matheus Severo, and Marianna Zouzoulas. Choreography is by James Gnam; scenography design is by Shizuka Kai; Carmen Alatorre oversees costume design; John Webber is the lighting designer; Evan Rein is responsible for sound design; and Candelario Andrade is doing media design. Jack Chipman is credited with technical direction and media integration.
In addition, Aguirre drew on the expertise consultants in a range of areas. They include Luis Garcia (Oaxacan skirt dance); Jennifer Burgmann (D/disability); Carmen Alatorre, Cande Andrade, Carlos Rivera Martinez (Mexican revolution history); Carmen Rodriguez (Marxism/Socialism/Communism); Tony Facchin (Italian labour movement); and Alex Waterhouse-Hayward (photography).
The Cultch and Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre will present the world premiere of Electric Company Theatre’s The Fire Never Dies: The Tina Modotti Project. The play runs from October 15 to 26 at the Historic Theatre. Tickets are available through the Cultch website. Follow Pancouver on Twitter @PancouverMedia and on Instagram @PancouverMedia.
