Teatro Lu.Ca in Lisbon starts 2023 with versions of “A Bela Adormecida” including the one by Agustina – Observer
Lu.Ca — Teatro Luís de Camões, in Lisbon, begins its 2023 program with several versions of the story “A Bela Adormecida”, including that by Agustina Bessa-Luís, in a show that combines imagery and original music with the words of the writer.
In a statement, Lu.Ca reveals that, in the first three months of 2023, it will present “a programming that believes that stories can be told in many ways, starting in January, with several versions of the story ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, including the by Agustina Bessa-Luís, and ending in March, with Teatro Praga taking over the stage at LU.CA to retell Shakespeare’s tragedies”.
Almost 25 years after Agustina Bessa-Luís wrote a text based on the story of Charles Perrault, Beatriz Brás, Francisco Lourenço and Martim Sousa Tavares revisit this version of “A Bela Adormecida” to create a show that adds image and music original to the words of the famous writer”.
“Another Sleeping Beauty, a co-production by Lu.Ca with Orquestra Sem Fronteiras and Teatro Nacional São João, included in the official celebrations of the centenary of Agustina Bessa-Luís (1922-2022), will be on stage between January 12th and 22nd , with sessions for schools and families.
The story “Beauty Sleeping” also inspired the writers Ana Pessoa and Joana Bértholo to write “Very, very, very long” and “Beauty did not sleep”, which “will come to life in two readings staged in the ‘underfloor’ of the theater, respectively on the 7th and 8th of January (interpreted by the actress Anabela Ribeiro) and the 28th and 29th of January (by the actress Mariana Magalhães)”.
February “becomes the month of dance” at Lu.Ca, with the “already traditional” Carnival Ball, on the 19th and 21st, with a musical selection by Mãos na Anca (Isabel Nogueira, Patrícia Barnabé and Raquel Castro) , but there are also other activities.
Earlier this month, Sara Anjo presents “A point that dances”, “a staged reading that turns into a workshop, for children from 3 years old, on the 10th Ana Jezabel premieres the dance show “Dia-a-Dia” , which will have sessions for families and schools until the 18th.
During the month of February, the series “Filmes Pronto-a-Vestir” by the British company Second Hand Dance will be available on the Lu.Ca website, “which invites viewers to dance at home and transform everyday clothes into celebrations of individuality”.
The workshop “What makes a party?”, for children between 6 and 12 years old, “which explores different aspects of a party to create a real celebration together”, closes the month of February.
In March, Teatro Praga ‘takes over’ Lu.Ca with the Shakespeare Cycle, with the addition of reception for children’s audiences of “Hamlet”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “Macbeth”.
“I am Hamlet”, presented for the first time 15 years ago, will be on stage between March 1st and 5th, “Romeo and Juliet: an excellent and lamentable dessert”, which debuted five years ago, between the 8th and 12th, and “ MacBad”, premiered last year, between the 15th and 19th.
Teatro Praga will also create a performative conference on the work of the English playwright, which will be available ‘online’ between March 1st and 19th, and “guide training for teachers on approaching classic texts for children and young people”.
The Lu.Ca cycle dedicated to Shakespeare also includes the exhibition “Coleção de Palavras”, by the design collective Vivóeusébio, with a “graphic installation that delved into the universe of dramatic plays” by the English playwright.
The first quarter of 2023, at Lu.CA, ends with concerts commented by Metropolitana’s soloists, from March 23 to 26.
The Lu.Ca program can be consulted on the theater’s website at www.lucateatroluisdecamoes.pt.