Produced by Trigo Limpo teatro ACERT (Cultural and Recreational Association of Tondela), the “Queima e Rebentamento do Judas” performance is set to take place on the Saturday of the Easter weekend. The event aims to symbolically purify the world of all evils through fire.
“We strive to find a simple yet effective, poetic way to convey to the audience a sharp critique of the evils, so that in the end we can laugh,” actor Pompeu José explained to journalists, noting the effigy is blamed for all evils and sentenced to flames.
The theme of globalization, described as a “web” that connects everyone but is more like “globalienation,” according to Pompeu José, will be explored during the performance, held in a mosquito-plagued region.
“We must learn to use it not as a prison, but as a tool for unity and strength,” he stated, adding, “the mosquitoes are aware that they will be eaten by the spider, yet they accept that life.”
Held annually since 1996, this community event is preceded by workshops in acting, movement, music, and scenography, which will begin the following Monday and quickly reached full enrollment in less than three days.
On the day of the performance, to be held at the fairgrounds, “visibly, 350 participants will be on stage for the audience” – 60 involved in the musical aspect and 290 in the acting – said Pompeu José, noting that ACERT does not have the “capacity for more coordination or resources.”
“The ‘Queima do Judas’ is created anew: the text and dramaturgy ideas, music composition, set design, costumes, and fire, all prepared and devised in advance, but entirely constructed in five days,” he stressed.
Pompeu José mentioned that those involved in the workshops and performance of the “Queima e Rebentamento do Judas” come to “realize that it is possible to do magnificent things together, such as creating a gigantic effigy and offering it to the community by burning it.”
“Both participants and spectators truly cleanse their souls with that fire,” he assured.
