“A Noite”, by José Saramago in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April
Estoril Casino
Casino Estoril hosts a double session of shows of “A Noite”, by José Saramago, in the year in which the 50th anniversary of the revolution of April 25, 1974 is celebrated.
The Yellow Star Company presents the first play written by the only Nobel Prize winner for Portuguese-language Literature. Shows are scheduled for April 24th at 9 pm and April 25th at 4 pm, in the Salão Preto e Prata.
In the editorial office of a newspaper, in Lisbon, on the night of April 24, 1974, the routine was interrupted by a discussion between the provincial editor, Manuel Torres, a journalist with heart and soul who defends journalistic truth above any other interest. , with its editor-in-chief, Abílio Valadares, a man submissive to political power, who accepts the censorship of texts without question and who has the unconditional support of Máximo Redondo, the newspaper’s director.
Manuel Torres, who does not tolerate the idea of the newspaper being constantly manipulated by third parties, is in a constant ideological struggle with the leadership. He is an idealist who will fight for the truth to return to the pages of “his” newspaper and will have as allies Cláudia, a young intern, and Jerónimo, the linotyper, head of the night shift.
The conflict takes on an even more dramatic dimension when a rumour appears in the newsroom that a revolution could be taking place in the streets. The editor-in-chief prohibits the publication of any news on the topic.
Agitation and nervousness grow within the newspaper, with Torres and Jerónimo demanding that the veracity of the facts be confirmed and that they be front page news the following day. On the other side of the “barricade”, the director and the editor-in-chief do everything they can to devalue the alleged social upheaval, in the certainty that they will not print any news, even if to do so they have to allege a malfunction in the linotypists’ machines. A micro-revolution has taken place in the newsroom.
Uncertainty grows until it is possible to prove what could be happening on the street. Even after the facts are proven, which truth will win? Will there be any news on the front page of the next day’s edition? Throughout the action, the newspaper’s manager, Faustino, who knows more than he lets on and tries to maintain a neutral attitude, will deconstruct some of the conflicts experienced in the newsroom.
Faustino is lame from birth and his atypical gait, which makes his busy profession as a janitor difficult, aims to make fun of the state of the country and the speed at which it is advancing. Faustino symbolizes Zé-Povinho. He likes it when Torres calls him Faustino, which was his nickname when he “played football” because he was very fast…
Directed and adapted by Paulo Sousa Costa and with directing assistance from Luís Pacheco, “A Noite” brings together a luxury cast: Diogo Morgado (Manuel Torres, editor of the province), Jorge Corrula (Jerónimo, head of typography), João Didelet ( Máximo Redondo, editor-in-chief), Luís Pacheco (Valadares, editor-in-chief), Elsa Galvão (Esmeralda, editorial secretary), Ricardo de Sá (Pinto, sports editor), Henrique de Carvalho (Fonseca, parliamentary editor), Sara Cecília (Cláudia, editorial intern), João Redondo (Faustino, continuous).
The Black and Silver Room at Casino Estoril is hosted on the 24th of April at 9 pm and on the 25th of April at 4 pm, “A Noite”, by José Saramago. M/12. Price: €20 to €30.
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.
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