Brazil Theatre Showcase Expands to Portugal and Africa
The 3rd PT-BR Brazil Theatre Showcase is set to return this month, bringing a diverse lineup of 16 productions to stages across Portugal and, for the first time, four Portuguese-speaking African (PALOP) nations. Running from October 29 to November 28, the festival has tripled in size since last year, mobilizing over 80 Brazilian artists and technicians.
A Transatlantic Celebration of Culture
Originally centered in Lisbon, the showcase is expanding its footprint. This year, performances will be held at the Gil Vicente Theatre in Cascais and the iconic Chapitô in Lisbon. Beyond Portugal, the event is strengthening international ties by partnering with major festivals in Mozambique (Kuphanda), Cape Verde (Mindelact), Angola (FESTIJ), and Guinea-Bissau (DJINTIS).
Founded and produced by Bruno Mariozz, the showcase features talent from the Brazilian states of Bahia, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. The programming tackles urgent contemporary themes including migration, indigenous history, inclusion, and social identity.
Program Highlights
The selection offers a wide range of narratives, from romantic comedies to historical tragedies:
- “Meu amor é cego” (My Love is Blind): A romantic comedy starring two visually impaired actors.
- “Tybyra – Uma Tragédia Indígena Brasileira”: A powerful historical drama recounting the execution of a Tupinambá man in 1614.
- “Migraaaantes”: A production built from the real-life accounts of refugees navigating Europe.
- “Quando a gente ama” (When We Love): The festival opener, scheduled for October 29 in Cascais.
Portuguese Performance Schedule
Portugal will host 20 performances in total. Cascais will host eight shows, including Latitude dos Cavalos (Nov 8) and Mãe Preta (Nov 22). Lisbon’s Chapitô will host 12 shows, beginning on October 30 with De qualquer modo dança and featuring others such as Barro Mulher (Nov 7) and Notícias em Cena (Nov 22).
In addition to the stage plays, the event includes workshops and artistic residencies. Notable among these is Notícias em Cena, a collaborative project where Brazilian and Portuguese artists transform breaking news into a theatrical performance.
Expanding to Africa
The showcase marks a significant milestone by bringing Brazilian theater to the PALOP countries:
- Mozambique: Suaíle and Que Apoti Me Acompanhe (Oct 29–30).
- Cape Verde: Quando a gente ama (Nov 3).
- Angola: Borboletas and Antes Que Me Contem Outras Histórias (Nov 6–7).
- Guinea-Bissau: The showcase concludes with Mãe Preta on November 28.
Specific venues and times for the African performances are expected to be announced shortly. Through this expansion, the PT-BR Showcase continues to bridge the Lusophone world through the power of live performance.
Image: Pexels – Mayara Caroline Mombelli
