Almada Festival kicks off with Els Joglars
The 4th of July is the starting day of another Almada Festival. There are 40 editions that are like this. Next Tuesday, you can dine on the Esplanade of the D. António da Costa School, which opens up again to receive the public and artists in what is the biggest theatrical event in the country.
At 8.30 pm, the Cascais and Oeiras Chamber Orchestra will perform on the Esplanade Stage. At 9 pm, also at the D. António da Costa School, a commemorative exhibition opens – The Great Festival of Ideas (40 years of the Almada Festival) -, and an installation in homage to João Mota – The School of the endlessly repeated circle ( at the theater by João Mota) – both curated by José Manuel Castanheira. At 10 pm, on the Festival’s iconic stage, the Palco Grande of the D. António da Costa School, Els Joglars, the well-known Catalan company presents İQue salga Aristófanes!, staged by Ramon Fontserè.
In Valha nos Aristófanes!, a former professor of classical culture meanwhile fired and interned in an asylum throws himself under the yoke of a certain censorship that, in the name of an alleged morality, transforms some creators into mere policemen of themselves, curbing them creative freedom. Ramon Fontserè, who has been part of this Catalan company since 1983, calls on none other than Aristophanes to arrogate to himself the right to say what he thinks: “Dear spectators, do not let yourselves be offended by the fact that, being a comic, I dare to talk about society since comedy also knows how to assess what is right. I am going to tell you a few words that, while bitter, are also very authentic”. In the madhouse in which this play takes place, amidst a certain meek madness, some graces are said that may sound inconvenient to some — but crystal clear lucid to many others. Are we prepared to watch, on stage, the return of the Mayflower to the Old Continent?
Since 1962, Els Joglars — the company founded by the acclaimed Albert Boadella — has sought to create popular and invariably fractured shows: an attitude that brought them many disappointments during the Franco dictatorship — and also in democracy. This time, by placing themselves under the aegis of Aristophanes, they claim a libertarian gesture: “Laughter is an extraordinary form of mental hygiene. And we comics have been making people laugh since ancient times to catharsis and comfort the public”.
Who salts Aristófanes (Palco Grande da Escola D. António da Costa, July 4th, at 10 pm)
Collective dramaturgy
Directed by Ramon Fontserè
Interpretation: Ramon Fontserè, Pilar Sáenz, Dolors Tuneu, Javier Villena, Alberto Castrillo-Ferrer and Angelo Crotti
Scenography: Anna Tusell
Lighting design: Bernart Jansà
Sound design: David Angulo
Costume Design: Pilar Saenz
Artistic advisor: Martina Cabanas
Scene Direction: Alberto Castrillo-Ferrer
Els Joglars (Spain)
Co-production: Comunidad de Madrid (Teatros del Canal) and Generalitat de Catalunya
Support: Embassy of Spain in Lisbon
Language: Castilian
(subtitled in Portuguese)
Duration 1h30m
Classification M/12
Price €17
More information at ctalmada.pt
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, tickets place of sale, price, and availability.
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