After years in the making, Castro’s Children opened to thunderous applause at Gasworks Theatre. Set primarily in the first years of Fidel Castro’s regime, the show follows the lives of the citizens of Cuba and the undergoing of Operation Pedro Pan, where over 14,000 children were displaced from their families and sent to live in America in the hopes that they would have a brighter, happier future. Following six children, their parents and their respective adult years after being re-homed to America, Castro’s Children is brilliantly performed by a very talented ensemble of both adults and children.
We are quickly introduced to US Catholic priest Father Brian Walsh and headmaster James Baker, who were key players in the planning and executing of Operation Pedro Pan which saw parents making the heartbreaking decision to send their children to Miami out of fear of them staying in Castro’s Cuba. While this was only meant as a temporary solution, Fidel Castro remained in power far longer than anyone involved anticipated resulting in most of the displaced children staying in America most of their lives and some never seeing their parents or homeland again.
Act 1 cleverly displays the emotional turmoil and uncertainty the adults face while introducing the children that we will later follow into their adult lives. Having this contrast not only shows the difference between the innocence of the children and the emotional despair the parents face but also sucks the audience into each character and the setting of Cuba itself that finds you sitting on the edge of your seat and reveling in the details of the plot.
Act 2 expertly jumps between the moments of the children arriving and adjusting to their life in America and their adult counterparts, slowly revealing the truth of what this displacement meant for each of them, creating an empathetic and heartfelt tug on the heartstrings.
One would have thought they had been transported to Cuba the second the show started thanks to Simon Stone’s brilliantly written score. Stacked with Spanish influence, choral singing, delicious harmonies and powerful ballads, Simon has expertly created a score so complex and one that will transport any audience through the emotional highs and lows of the story. Using a cleverly placed comedic song in both Act 1 and 2, he even allows the audience a slight reprieve while also comedically mocking the CIA’s involvement in this operation.
The brilliant score is highlighted further by the talented cast of 12 adults and 15 children, truly creating an ensemble performance nothing short of wonderful. From the full company moments to the solo power ballads there is not one moment of the show that falls flat. The 12 piece orchestra is a standout for their performance of this score.
At the helm of this show, Peter Fitzpatrick expertly brought to life the stories of these children and the emotional impact and turmoil not only the children faced but also the sacrifices made by the parents to protect them. Navigating such a tumultuous time in history and applying it to a stage form, Peter has created a show that brings humanity to the forefront while giving voices to those truly affected by Operation Pedro Pan, allowing all sides of history to be heard from the emotional portrayal of the darker turns in some of these children’s lives to the morality issues faced by those in charge.
Every cast member expertly portrays each voice of this part of history. A rock throughout this performance was Tod Strike. His performance as James Baker was nothing short of excellent. His portrayal of the uncertain eagerness to help the children to the moral consequences of what he held himself responsible for was expertly navigated and never fell victim to a hero complex. Both he and Tom Green were beautifully highlighted in ‘My Chosen Universe’. Tom Green’s portrayal of Father Brian Walsh really highlighted the juxtaposition of the warmth a priest may bring to its constituents and the denial of the church when confronted with the more darker elements of the Operation.
Paul Watson’s emotional portrayal of a father in doubt over the right decision to then later portraying the adult version of his son shows the range Paul has as an actor moving through doubt and self-assuredness in both characters while Fem Belling’s soulful belting of ‘Song for Carlos’ instantly hits every parent in the audience with a beautiful ballad of motherhood.
Madeleine Featherby took Act 2 by force. The narrator of these displaced children, portraying an Adult Olivia, Madeleine gave voices to those affected by Operation Pedro Pan while being the glue to the other adult counterparts the audience had followed. Her stunning singing is highlighted in ‘Pictures of Me’ and effectively portrays the layers of mixed emotions about her experience being displaced. While Daisy Valerio and Drew Lane successfully portrayed the challenges the children had when faced with the realities of their dreams and having to settle for what is acceptable enough to continue to move through life.
Zak Brown provided great comic relief as Culpepper, the CIA representative, and gave the show some much needed levity. Flanked by Green and Noah Szto, the three had the crowd laughing along with their clever comedic chops. Notable mentions also include Bryce Gibson beautifully portraying the depression and trauma found in some displaced children and Gabrielle Ward and Laura Wong effectively portraying the changing times in both Cuba and America.
The children of this cast, each talented, brought to life the innocence and uncertainty of each character. Each adult portraying these children later in life wouldn’t have been as effective if they weren’t set up so eloquently by these children. Bringing both heart and comedy to the script and score, the children’s ensemble was a major highlight of the night.
It is important to support Australian written works and the excellence of a show such as Castro’s Children is a perfect example as to why. Performing until the 13th of July, this is a show not to be missed as I do see great things ahead for Castro’s Children.
One would have thought they had been transported to Cuba the second the show started thanks to Simon Stone’s brilliantly written score. Stacked with Spanish influence, choral singing, delicious harmonies and powerful ballads, Simon has expertly created a score so complex and one that will transport any audience through the emotional highs and lows of the story. Using a cleverly placed comedic song in both Act 1 and 2, he even allows the audience a slight reprieve while also comedically mocking the CIA’s involvement in this operation.
The brilliant score is highlighted further by the talented cast of 12 adults and 15 children, truly creating an ensemble performance nothing short of wonderful. From the full company moments to the solo power ballads there is not one moment of the show that falls flat. The 12 piece orchestra is a standout for their performance of this score.
At the helm of this show, Peter Fitzpatrick expertly brought to life the stories of these children and the emotional impact and turmoil not only the children faced but also the sacrifices made by the parents to protect them. Navigating such a tumultuous time in history and applying it to a stage form, Peter has created a show that brings humanity to the forefront while giving voices to those truly affected by Operation Pedro Pan, allowing all sides of history to be heard from the emotional portrayal of the darker turns in some of these children’s lives to the morality issues faced by those in charge.
Every cast member expertly portrays each voice of this part of history. A rock throughout this performance was Tod Strike. His performance as James Baker was nothing short of excellent. His portrayal of the uncertain eagerness to help the children to the moral consequences of what he held himself responsible for was expertly navigated and never fell victim to a hero complex. Both he and Tom Green were beautifully highlighted in ‘My Chosen Universe’. Tom Green’s portrayal of Father Brian Walsh really highlighted the juxtaposition of the warmth a priest may bring to its constituents and the denial of the church when confronted with the more darker elements of the Operation.
Paul Watson’s emotional portrayal of a father in doubt over the right decision to then later portraying the adult version of his son shows the range Paul has as an actor moving through doubt and self-assuredness in both characters while Fem Belling’s soulful belting of ‘Song for Carlos’ instantly hits every parent in the audience with a beautiful ballad of motherhood.
Madeleine Featherby took Act 2 by force. The narrator of these displaced children, portraying an Adult Olivia, Madeleine gave voices to those affected by Operation Pedro Pan while being the glue to the other adult counterparts the audience had followed. Her stunning singing is highlighted in ‘Pictures of Me’ and effectively portrays the layers of mixed emotions about her experience being displaced. While Daisy Valerio and Drew Lane successfully portrayed the challenges the children had when faced with the realities of their dreams and having to settle for what is acceptable enough to continue to move through life.
Zak Brown provided great comic relief as Culpepper, the CIA representative, and gave the show some much needed levity. Flanked by Green and Noah Szto, the three had the crowd laughing along with their clever comedic chops. Notable mentions also include Bryce Gibson beautifully portraying the depression and trauma found in some displaced children and Gabrielle Ward and Laura Wong effectively portraying the changing times in both Cuba and America.
The children of this cast, each talented, brought to life the innocence and uncertainty of each character. Each adult portraying these children later in life wouldn’t have been as effective if they weren’t set up so eloquently by these children. Bringing both heart and comedy to the script and score, the children’s ensemble was a major highlight of the night.
It is important to support Australian written works and the excellence of a show such as Castro’s Children is a perfect example as to why. Performing until the 13th of July, this is a show not to be missed as I do see great things ahead for Castro’s Children. 
