Daughter of Mama Killa performance gets standing ovation

Princess Cusi, played by Zara

By Bolero News Services
Photos by Persephone Bolero

AMAZON -- The Daughters of Mama Killa brought culture and arts to the Amazon Sunday with a stellar performance of the Legend of Ollantay and Cusi, a story of forbidden love in the Incan Empire.

Written and directed by Mama Killa Chieftess June, the play told the story of Princess Cusi, performed by Zara, and General Ollantay, performed by AstroSt. The princess and the general fell in love, but the strict hierarchy of the Incan royalty forbid the princess from marrying a man of lower birth.

Saverio portrayed Pachacutec and his son Tupac

In defiance of the traditions, the pair married in secret before the general marched off to war. Ollantay survives the conflict and asks Pachacutec, the Incan emperor, for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Enraged that he would sully his daughter’s reputation with such a request, he banishes the general and hides his daughter away, effectively making her a prisoner of her father. All the while, the emperor remains unaware the two are already married.

Ollantay, believing his one true love is dead, raises an army against Pachacutec, and the empire descends into civil war. After Pachacutec dies, his son, Tupac Yupanqui, becomes his successor. Tupac defeats Ollantay and brings him to trial.

Bawmp chicka bawmp bawmp

Pitu Salla, a companion to Cusi, who has been kept silent on pain of death about Cusi's fate, finally reveals to Tupac that Cusi lives. Tupac is reunited with his sister and asks her what should be the fate of the defeated Ollantay.

Cusi begs for Ollantay’s life, and Tupac spares him. He also agrees to allow the two to marry, only to learn they already are.

Diana Fawcett played multiple roles in the play

In the dramatic conclusion to the star-studded performance, the two lovers, separated for many years, are finally reunited, embracing to a standing ovation from the audience.

"Encore! Very well done! Thank you Daughters of the Moon for this elegant afternoon!" called Eve Fintan, proprietor of the Catadore Resort, as the performers took a bow before the audience.

The play was written and directed by June

The play was well attended by many prominent figures in the Amazon including Khaing, chieftess of the Xoco, and Eve’s husband, Dylan. Also attending the performance was Baron LaCroix, who claims to be a Monk.

As far as anyone can tell, the successful performance was the first true act of theater in the Amazon. When asked if jungle audiences could expect to be entertained by future plays, June did not deny it was a possibility.

A beautiful and satisfying conclusion.

Costumes, music, and lighten were all expertly executed.

CAST IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Carmen, a Servant of Valdez              June
Princess Cusi                                      Zara
Pitu Salla, a companion to Cusi         Ray
Ollantay, a general                             Astro
Pachacutec, the great Inca                 Saverio
Anahaurque, Mother of Cusi             Diana
Tupac Yupanqui son of Pachacutec   Saverio
Occllo wife of Tupac                         Diana

Stage lighting                                     Mary Night
Sound                                                 Eve Sinclair

Script editing                                      Diana
Written and directed by                      June

Ray starred as Pitu Salla

Many commented on Astro's huge talent.