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Candlelit theatre in Havana – in pictures

Widespread blackouts have become increasingly common in Cuba since the US imposed energy sanctions in January. Outages frequently surpass 24 hours as the ageing grid fails. The Impulso theatre group has had to adapt as power cuts pose severe challenges for the performing arts

The actor Say Albravo performs in the play Ensueño, staged without electricity by the Impulso theatre group in Havana, Cuba.

Norlys Perez/Reuters

Fri 9 Oct 2026 08.15 EDT

Last modified on Fri 9 Oct 2026 08.20 EDT

A woman mops the floor outside an old stone building with pillars and balustrades — Cast members mop the entrance to La Casona de Línea theatre before an evening performance
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A woman inserts batteries into a candle — The actor Silvia Fernández inserts batteries into LED candles
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A dimly lit dressing room filled with clothes and props — Clothing and props fill a dimly lit dressing room
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Actors rehearsing — Actors rehearse a scene from Ensueño amid the gloom
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A musician sits with a double bass — The musician Kairo Rodriguez plays the double bass during a rehearsal
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A woman having makeup applied to her face — Cecilia Ruiz applies makeup to the actor Bitia Zamaral by natural light from a window
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A woman having makeup applied to her face — Behind Ruiz and Zamaral, the room is shrouded in darkness
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A woman applying makeup to her face — Actors make the most of daylight hours
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Actors rehearsing a scene in a dark room — The historic theatre building does not let in much light
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A man stands next to two other performers — The actor Carlos Perez, 88, one of the cast from Ensueño
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Two actors rehearsing — Actors rehearse, with LED candles ready for the evening performance behind them
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Playgoers walk past torches that illuminate the entrance and form part of the stage set as they attend a performance staged without electricity — Playgoers walk past torches that illuminate the theatre’s entrance and form part of the stage set
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A woman holding a candle inside a dark building with a small group of people in the next room — An actor lights the entrance to the stage with a candlestick
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Albravo waits in a hidden spot as the audience watch the play — Unbeknown to the audience, Albravo waits in the wings
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Actors performing in front of an audience — Audience members watch a scene from the play
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Albravo with her arms outstretched, a fan in each hand — Albravo takes to the stage
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A moped passes in front of the theatre building — A moped passes in front of La Casona de Línea, providing a fleeting beam of light amid the darkness
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