3rd PT-BR Theater Showcase: Brazilian Art in Portugal & Africa
The 3rd PT-BR Theater Showcase is set to take center stage across Portugal and Africa starting October 29, bringing a vibrant celebration of Brazilian culture and contemporary reflection to the Lusophone world. Curated by producer Bruno Mariozz, this year’s festival marks a significant expansion, featuring over 80 Brazilian artists and technicians across 16 different productions.
A Growing Cultural Bridge
Originally launched in 2024 at Lisbon’s iconic Chapitô, the PT-BR Showcase has evolved into a major cultural exchange. For the first time, the event will branch out beyond the capital to Cascais, while also extending its reach to Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. The showcase aims not only to display artistic talent but to celebrate the shared bond of the Portuguese language.
“I am very happy that PT-BR has expanded this year,” Mariozz told Lusa, though he noted that the expansion remains a challenge due to limited and often delayed funding. The festival relies primarily on support from the Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Culture for travel and insurance, alongside localized partnerships.
From Samba Tributes to Indigenous Tragedies
The festival kicks off on October 29 at the Gil Vicente Theater in Cascais with the musical Quando a gente ama (When We Love). Featuring a cast of more than 20, the production serves as a tribute to the legendary samba artist Arlindo Cruz, who passed away earlier this year. The move to the Gil Vicente Theater—a more traditional venue than the “alternative” Chapitô—has allowed the showcase to host large-scale musicals for the first time.
The 2024 lineup tackles diverse and pressing social themes:
- Meu amor é cego (My Love is Blind): Billed as the world’s first romantic comedy starring two visually impaired actors.
- Tybyra – Uma Tragédia Indígena Brasileira: A powerful retelling of the story of a Tupinambá man executed in 1614, exploring Brazil’s first recorded homosexual tragedy.
- Migraaaantes: A poignant production built from the real-life accounts of refugees in Europe.
- Mãe Preta: A tribute to Helena Theodoro, the first Black woman to earn a PhD in philosophy in Brazil.
- Notícias em Cena: A collaborative project where Brazilian and Portuguese artists transform current news headlines into live theater.
Expanding Across the Lusophone World
The showcase’s international reach continues to grow through strategic partnerships with local African festivals. In Mozambique, performances will be part of the Ku Phanda street festival in Maputo, while Angola will host shows during the International Festival of Theater for Children and Youth (FESTIJ). Cape Verde’s Mindelact festival will host the headline musical, and the entire showcase will conclude on November 28 in Guinea-Bissau with a performance of Mãe Preta.
Mariozz remains optimistic about the future of the initiative, despite noting the cultural challenges back home. “A few years ago we had a setback in Brazil, and the circuit is just now trying to regain its momentum,” he said. By bringing 16 shows from Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and São Paulo to international audiences, Mariozz hopes to ensure that Brazilian art continues to move forward, regardless of political or financial hurdles.
In addition to the performances, the showcase will feature artistic residencies, including a tribute to the late choreographer Angel Vianna and workshops exploring the intersection of literature and theatrical creation.
Image: Pexels – Italo Crespi
