MEMO by Marlene Barreto

“an exercise on the importance of memory in the fight against oppression”

October 31, 9:30 PM – Raiano Cultural Center, Idanha-a-Nova

Performance of the Trilogy Theory of Pessimism – Work II

Musical Creation by Madalena Palmeirim

The actress and artistic creator Marlene Barreto presents on October 31, at 9:30 PM, at the Raiano Cultural Center, in Idanha-a-Nova, the performance MEMO, the second work of the Theory of Pessimism trilogy. The actress is also the only performer in the MEMO performance.

MEMO explores themes such as dehumanization, totalitarian control, and resistance. The work questions the consequences of the loss of identity and memory, and the struggle to recover an egalitarian humanity. The manipulation of women and the creation of an extremely patriarchal society serve as an imaginative exercise to reflect on current realities and possible destinies of society. MEMO is an exercise on the importance of memory in the fight against oppression.

This work is a profound critique of ideologies that seek to control and subvert the essence of humanity, dehumanizing it. By presenting a future where gender equality is seen as a threat and women are reduced to mere instruments of education, MEMO challenges the audience to reflect on current power structures and the consequences of a society that sacrifices equality and freedom in the name of a Totalitarian and Hierarchical Order, based on a superior status quo and an inferior status quo.

MEMO will also take the stage at the José Lúcio Silva Theatre, in Leiria on December 14. In 2025 Marlene Barreto will present MEMO in Portalegre, Loulé, Bragança, and other locations to be announced.

SYNOPSIS:

In a dystopian future, Ewa is kidnapped by an Order that erases her memories, making her vulnerable to manipulation. Without memories of who she was, she is led to believe that she has a vital mission for society. Memory manipulation is used as a weapon to shape her nature and keep her under control. Meanwhile, the Theater Creator – the narrator of Ewa’s story – faces her doubts, questioning the role of violence in her work and her responsibility in perpetuating images of oppression. In a game between truth and fiction, the Creator integrates into the plot, metaphorizing her internal struggle between the power of telling the story and the distortions that this story may generate.

MEMO

• Text, creation, and interpretation: Marlene Barreto
• Dramaturgical consultancy: Stella Faustino
• Dramaturgical review: Clara Bevilaqua, Helena Ales Pereira, Júlia Medina, Madalena Palmeirim
• Research and investigation: Angélica Vedana, Brume Dezembro, Júlia Medina, Leopoldina Fekauamãle, Luzia Oca, Stella Faustino
• Assistance in staging: Júlia Medina, Clara Bevilaqua
• Movement direction: Clara Bevilaqua
• Musical creation and sound design: Madalena Palmeirim
• Stage direction, lighting, and light design: Catarina Côdea
• Scenography and costumes: Catarina Graça
• Visual Creation, Poster, Illustrations: Carolina Gassler
• Projections and filming: André Mattosinho
• AI image processing: Bruno Costa and Pedro Faro
• Makeup and hair: Cidália Espadinha
• Photography: Rute Leonardo
• Graphic design: Joana Tordo
• Executive production: Helena Ales Pereira
• General production: Mescla Cultural Association
• Support for the application: Suggestions

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