Kickstart PAPAYA Fest 2026 with this award-winning production by Popelei, back by popular demand – a captivating story of love, loss and revolution performed in English on Friday and en Español (in Spanish) on Sunday
Revolutionary, proto-feminist, underground spy and the beating heart of South American liberation, Manuela Sáenz died in poverty, all but forgotten by the history books – until now.
Blending storytelling, physical theatre, comedy and live music, Lecoq-trained performer Tamsin Hurtado Clarke brings Manuela’s extraordinary story of love, loss and revolution vibrantly to life. Accompanied live by Chilean musician, Santiago Jara Astaburuaga, and featuring original music by UK Latin American Musician of the Year, Camilo Menjura, Manuelita promises a heart-swelling, toe-tapping night at the theatre.
WINNER – CASA Festival Bursary
WINNER – Three Weeks Editors’ Award, 2014
RUNNER-UP – LUKAS Theatre Production of the Year, 2015 & 2016
“A hilarious, moving, tragic and heart-warming piece of theatre…one not to be missed!”
★★★★★ Three Weeks
“A wonderful, warm performance that will have you leaving on a high.”
★★★★ The Stage
“Energetic and winning.”
★★★★ British Theatre Guide
Stay afterwards for the festival’s Opening Night Fiesta at The Old Market Assembly!
PAPAYA Fest 2026: a 9 day festival of theatre, music and celebration bringing Latin American and British cultures together.
Click here to see the full PAPAYA Fest programme
Get your PAPAYA Passport on arrival. No borders. No visas. Collect stamps across the festival and earn a free PAPAYA T-shirt.