Súper Chefs- a brilliantly bilingual interactive show for kids

I spoke to the writer and lead actor of a food-themed multisensory show currently touring the UK.

Oct 15, 2024

Samantha Manzur | Alma, Nastassia Bustamente| Valeria and Juan Galeano | Manny in Súper Chefs.

When I heard about Súper Chefs, a bilingual interactive musical show aimed at children between the ages of 4-8 from Maya Productions which starts its tour this October I wanted to write about it. Latin American communities are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the UK but remain under-represented in the British media, the company tells us. Directed by Suzanne Gorman and produced by Maria Cuervo with music by Ariel Cubría and KS1 PSHE teaching resources, Súper Chefs presents Latin American stories in a celebratory, integrative way via a blend of live cooking, music and dance, and audience participation: “Children will experience the sights, smells, and tastes of authentic Latin American dishes like Colombian arepas and Mexican guacamole while learning about the importance of food in family life and cultural heritage,” via Manny, a six-year-old child living in London who is eagerly preparing a special welcome-home meal for his dad Tony. He enlists the help of mum Valeria (a professional chef played by Natassia Bustamante), his superheroine sidekick Mighty Mujer, and his traditional grandmother, Alma (played by Samantha Manzur). Manny’s grandma believes that the kitchen is a ‘woman’s place’ but Manny feels differently. When things go awry in the kitchen, Manny must prove to himself, his family and the audience that he can not only be a chef but also a superhero, all at once.

Juan Galeano, an award-winning Colombian actor who plays Manny, and playwright Betsy Picart, a Latinx-American actress, answered some of my questions:

The UK has a growing Latin-American population yet fewer pupils opt to learn a second or third language and it's hard for schools to recruit language teachers. Your show is bilingual. How do you work with schools to bridge the gap between demographic reality (an increasingly multicultural country) and the paucity of taught language skills?

Juan: Theatre and performing arts are a language itself. As a Colombian actor living in London, I’ve noticed how language learning, especially Spanish, can be overlooked in schools, despite the increasing Latin-American community. For our show, Betsy, the bilingual playwright, actively collaborates with experts by creating interactive experiences that make language fun and accessible. We bring the beauty of both English and Spanish into the theatre, through the story, songs, and the lively environment of the show. It's a great way for kids to engage with language in a real-world setting. After the run, we're planning to offer workshops and language-based activities to keep that connection alive. Our goal is to continue inspiring language learning even beyond the stage, fostering a love for languages that students can take with them into their daily lives.

The non-Latino UK population tends to have very narrow ideas about what constitutes Latino food. What criteria did you use when choosing which foods/meals to cook?

Betsy: I wanted a diverse representation of foods in the show that people from across Latin America could connect with. So, we brainstormed foods that are popular dishes in various Latin American countries. I knew we always wanted the show to be interactive, with an element of making/cooking, so we chose foods that would be simple enough for young people to make under the supervision of an adult.

What did you most enjoy about the research and rehearsal period?

Betsy: I most enjoyed working with a brilliant group of Latin American artists to workshop the show. It was incredibly special to share our stories and experiences and see how that helped develop the story.

What was challenging?

Betsy: The limited time. Back when the show was first workshopped, we only had five days to put it up on its feet. The team did an incredible job and thankfully the show was able to continue evolving over the next production period as well into the show you see today.

What are the logistical challenges of an interactive, multi-sensorial show like this?

Betsy: The participatory element of the show works best in a black box theatre or multi-purpose space where the actors can easily interact with the audience. That is more challenging when performing the show in a traditional proscenium theatre where the actors are separated from the audience by being on an elevated stage.

The show also requires actors who are skilled at improv and communicating with young people. There is a lot of interaction, and the actors need to be able to think on their feet to be ready for any young audience member’s replies.

Juan: With an interactive show like this, you have to think about how every sense will be engaged: taste, smell, sound, touch, and sight. As an actor, it's a lot to manage! For example, during one scene, I'm teaching the audience about Colombian food while also making sure they can hear the music at the right moment. The trick is in planning and rehearsals. We work closely with a dedicated team to coordinate the lighting, music, and even the cooking, so everything happens seamlessly. Also, the kids' energy is important to make the performance alive. But of course, live performances are unpredictable—so we also need to be adaptable when things don’t go exactly as planned!

How has participating in this show enriched your perspectives on food, gender and identity?

Betsy: I’m immensely grateful that Súper Chefs can spark conversations about food, gender and identity. I love hearing those chats after the show and I hope it continues to spark those conversations at each location the show is performed in.

Juan: This show has been an eye-opener for me. As a Colombian living in the UK, it’s a constant journey balancing my own identity with a new culture. The show gave me a deeper understanding of how food is tied to identity — it’s more than just a meal, it’s a way of sharing our stories. We also explore themes of gender roles such as the belief that the ‘kitchen is a women's place’ and how traditional roles around cooking are shifting, which is important for the kids watching. For me, it's been inspiring to see how food can bring people together and how it shapes who we are and how we see ourselves.

Is there anything you'd like me to know that I have not asked about?

Juan: I think it's important to mention how kids are at the heart of everything we do with Súper Chefs We want them to feel empowered to explore Latin American culture, try new things, and understand that there’s a whole world of experiences waiting for them—right here in the UK! It’s about celebrating diversity, not just as a concept, but through tangible, exciting experiences that make a lasting impact on them. Plus, we make sure to have a lot of fun doing it!