Photography and written by Isabel M. Castro
Black and white photo of Gigi Guizado by Kiefer Jones
Black and white photo of Kate Eaton by Terry Cripps
Las Vegas theatergoers recently delighted in an afternoon of absurdity and dark comedy during The Asylum Theatre’s spectacular reading of Virgilio Piñera's absurdist masterwork “Dos viejos pánicos,” translated by Kate Eaton as “Double Panic,” a satirical stage presentation. This lively performance, filled with sharp wit and comic twists, was held at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The curtain rose at 2 p.m. on Oct. 28, followed by a lively post-show discussion with audience members. The event was free and open to the public.
Director Sarah O'Connell, Artistic Director of The Asylum Theatre, is a member of the faculty of the UNLV’s Theatre Department. This unique reading brought Piñera's work to life by O'Connell, who first learned about the play through Gigi Guizado, The Asylum’s resident playwright and producer, along with translator Kate Eaton of Out of the Wings collective in London. The play presented a fresh, contemporary perspective on Piñera’s original work. Eaton traveled from the UK to attend, bringing her translation to life with authenticity and cultural relevance while adding a layer of absurd humor that captivated the audience.
“The Asylum is proud to partner with translators from Out of the Wings. It is an honor to introduce this work, which conveys timeless truths about fear but was banned in the playwright’s lifetime, to a wider audience today,” said Sarah.
Double Panic was originally penned by Virgilio Piñera (1912-1979), a renowned Cuban poet and playwright. Celebrated as a pivotal figure in Cuban literature, Piñera often explored themes of alienation, absurdity, and madness. His characters typically found themselves caught in bizarre, grotesque scenarios, making his work both thought-provoking and uniquely entertaining.
The play’s storyline delved into existential dread and the absurdity of life through the lens of an older couple consumed by fears about their future. In an effort to escape their anxieties and the monotony of daily life, they engage in dark, farcical fantasies, enacting deadly scenarios as a form of grotesque play-acting. This absurdist dark comedy invited audiences to laugh at life’s ridiculousness while confronting their own fears and uncertainties.
Two seasoned actors performed the reading: Gigi as Tota (the wife) and Marcus Weiss as Tabo (the husband). The intimate staging was designed to benefit theater students and the diverse public, offering powerful performances that highlighted the humor and emotional depth of Piñera’s work. Audiences laughed at life’s absurdities—a refreshing escape for those weary of existential questioning. The play’s sharp wit and clever dialogue resonated with anyone who has pondered life’s purpose amidst its often frustrating, nonsensical nature.
“It’s a play set in a time when the future is uncertain, and people find comfort in the absurd. Toward the end, one spouse asks the other, ‘What will we eat tomorrow?' The response, 'Meat with fear,' perfectly captures the essence of the play, inviting us to laugh at the absurdity of their situation,” shared Gigi.
The Asylum Theatre’s commitment to bringing new experiences and culturally diverse voices to Las Vegas audiences was evident in this production. The reading of this classic Cuban play by Piñera offered an intriguing look at a Latin American perspective on the human condition, blending humor, darkness, and existential reflection into an unforgettable afternoon. Double Panic was a highlight of the autumn cultural calendar, providing laughter and thought-provoking artistry.
Gigi is an award-winning international actor, writer, and director, as well as Resident Playwright at The Asylum Theatre and a member of Out of the Wings Collective. Her translations and original plays have been staged in San Francisco, Las Vegas, and London. Inti Press published Guizado’s translation of The Therapist by Gabriela Yepes. Her poetry has been nominated for Best of the Net and published in The Emerson Review, Rogue Agent Journal, Salamander Ink Magazine, The Bluebird Word, The Platform, and other literary journals. She also serves as a poetry reader for The Citron Review.
Marcus Weiss has an extensive background in theater, film, television, radio, and voice-overs across the U.S. and Europe. A professional actor and director for over 30 years, he currently performs as a clown in O at The Bellagio. Weiss has directed for the Vegas Theatre Company, Opera Las Vegas, and many schools throughout the Las Vegas area.
Kate Eaton is a translator, theatre practitioner, and researcher. Her previous translations and productions of Virgilio Piñera’s plays include The Wedding (in collaboration with Scarlet Theatre), Thin Man Fat Man, You Always Forget Something, False Alarm, Jesus, and Electra Garrigó. Her practice-led PhD, awarded from Queen Mary, University of London, focused on translating Piñera’s works for performance. She has been an Out of the Wings Collective member since 2016.
Virgilio Piñera Llera (August 4, 1912 – October 18, 1979) was a Cuban author, playwright, poet, short story writer, essayist, and translator. His most notable works include the poem La isla en peso (1943), the short story collection Cuentos Fríos (1956), the novel La carne de René (1952), and the play Electra Garrigó (1959). Piñera is also known for his Spanish translation of Ferdydurke by Polish writer Witold Gombrowicz.
Sarah O'Connell became Artistic Director of The Asylum in 2003. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she served as Associate Artistic Director of Impact Theatre and holds a Master’s Degree in Directing from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Sarah, an alumna of the Director's Labs in L.A., Chicago, and La Mama ETC in Umbria, teaches at UNLV. Her extensive work experience includes roles at the American Conservatory Theatre, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, the SF Mime Troupe, and Glasgow's Theatre Cryptic.
The Asylum Theatre: https://www.asylumtheatre.org
Facebook: @Theasylumvegas
Instagram: @theasylumvegas
Email: Sarah O’Connell, Artistic Director: director@asylumtheatre.org
Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art is located at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. For more information, call (702) 895-3381 or visit unlv.edu/barrickmuseum.
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