Cuban show cast seeking US asylum

The dancers cheer after submitting their asylum request

Members of a Cuban theatre troupe performing in Las Vegas have asked for asylum in the United States.

The 43 dancers, singers and musicians submitted their asylum requests at Las Vegas federal courthouse on Monday.

It is one of the biggest mass defections from the communist island and comes after the group fought Cuban red tape to be allowed to go to the US.

Their Havana Night Club show at the Stardust Resort and Casino is presented by magicians Siegfried and Roy.

Their own long-running production was cancelled after Roy Horn was mauled by one of the tigers performing in his act.

The members of the theatre group have performed around the world including Germany and Japan but struggled to get permission to travel to the US.

Art should have no boundaries Director Nicole Durr

The original application to travel to the US was turned down in February, and Cuban authorities were criticised for not supporting their bid to go to the US.

Eventually the US granted visas, permitting the cast to enter for a two-week stint only.

More to come

The show was to return to the Stardust Casino on Monday night, with the majority of the cast now set on staying in the US.

Seven members are still in Germany but plan to apply for asylum on reaching the US, while three are set to return to Cuba.

Their German director, Nicole Durr, said the Cuban government had threatened to make life difficult for the cast on their return and had thrown her out of the country, telling her not to go back.

She said that was one of the reasons the cast decided to leave Cuba permanently.

"We've been together for more than six years. We are like a family," she said.

"Art should have no boundaries," she added.

"My artists stood up in one voice and said they want to go. We want to dance. We want to continue to dance."