Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water For Chocolate) was a mid-scale production adapted from the original novel by Laura Esquival. It toured to theatres in the UK for the first time in October and November 2006 and again in May and June 2008

This was the UK’s first stage adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s worldwide bestseller, Like Water for Chocolate.  With an international cast, vibrant text and a haunting score, including live music, TSF brought its flair for visual storytelling to this sensual celebration of Latin American culture.

This gorgeous, sexy tale is set in revolutionary Mexico in 1910.  Tita, a young woman forced to watch her sister marry the man she loves, cooks to quench her aching heart.  Her food stirs all who taste it, affecting them deeply and transporting them into a captivating world of magical realism.

The Creative Team
The original novel is by Laura Esquivel, one of Mexico’s most celebrated writers and was adapted by Linda McLean (Paines Plough, Traverse Theatre, Derby Playhouse). The director was John Cobb, the Joint Artistic Director of TSF who has also worked with Robert Lepage, the National Theatre, Northern Stage, Benchtours Theatre Company and Julia Ritter Dance Company. Set and costume design was by Neil Murray, Associate Director and Head of Design at Northern Stage who has also worked with West Yorkshire Playhouse, Kneehigh, Teatro Romeo and MC Bobigny. The music was composed by Iain Johnstone, writer, director and composer with Wee Stories who has also worked with Told By An Idiot and Northern Stage.

Cast 2006:
Tita: Alejandra Ambrosi Cortés
Chencha: Leonila Argüello Chavarría
Rosaura: Pepa Delgado Fernández
John Brown/Capitán Juan Alejándrez: Alex Elliott
Mamá Elena: Sarah Kemp
Gertrudis/ Nacha: Alicia Martel
Pedro: Mark Plonsky

Cast 2008:
Tita: Alejandra Ambrosi Cortés
Chencha: Leonila Argüello Chavarría
Rosuara: Pepa Delgado Fernández
John Brown/ Capitán Juan Alejándrez: Mark Plonsky
Mamá Elena: Sarah Kemp
Gertrudis/ Nacha: Alicia Martel
Pedro: Jerónimo Best

Como Agua Para Chocolate 2006/2008 toured to 17 venues across the UK, taking TSF to new venues such as the Robert Powell Theatre in Salford and Southwark Playhouse. It also marked the 13th TSF tour to visit the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal in 16 years.