The Gardener and Pretender Prince Cloridano, a comedy written by Santiago Pita y Borroto, is the first Cuban play written on the island. It was conceived in the first half of the 18th century as a comedy of intrigues in the classic Spanish style. For years, it was believed that its author was the friar José Rodríguez Ucres, known as Capacho, since several editions of the play appear under his name. Despite this, we were able to discover its true author thanks to a meticulous study by José Juan Arrom, supported by documentary evidence.

It belongs to the late Baroque period, and is the only Cuban play within this movement. It was first published at the Royal Printing House in Seville between 1730 and 1733.

The theme is based on the victory of love, supported by stories of chivalric courtship. Some local words are used, such as “hurricane” and “you.” This work demonstrates a successful characterization of the characters and the scenic and dramatic elements. In this play, a royal figure pretends to be less than he really is to achieve his goals.

In the servants Flora, Narcisa, and Lamparón, we can see the Cuban side of things, as they transform the master-servant relationship into a hidden source of relaxation and mockery, an extermination of social categories. From this, the joking movement is born in our popular scene. The play becomes a game, a mockery, where the humble, graceful, and servant characters assume the vigor and impetus of the popular and the real.

The two qualities that stand out in this first Cuban play are joviality and gallantry. Its verses occasionally display color and freshness. The work’s value lies in its poetic richness, not in its dramatic action.

In 1791, it was performed with great success in Havana, where it was described as a cape comedy. Some criticized it for its liberal use of words and its depiction of customs. It was also performed successfully in several cities in Spain and on the American continent.

Reading the piece, we realize that its author had knowledge of theatrical technique, Latin, ancient history, geography, theology, and literature, among other things. We also realize that he read Don Quixote. His verses remind us of important authors such as Calderón de la Barca, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and Lope de Vega.

The Gardener and Pretender Prince, Cloridano, is the oldest Cuban play of which we have any references. It is considered by expert critics to be the precursor to the Cuban popular scene and, furthermore, a significant work within the Cuban and foreign panorama of its time.